Birkenstock, Germany and Federal Court of Justice

Birkenstock argued its shoes are art. A court put its foot down.
In a lawsuit, Birkenstock aimed to combat knockoffs, but the court determined the German footwear does not meet the definition of “applied art.”
Can sandals be art? Birkenstock says yes, but a German court says no
Birkenstocks: They are ubiquitous in summer, comfy and very German. Sometimes they look chic and sometimes shabby. But can these sandals be considered art?
No, Birkenstocks Are Not Works of Art, Rules German Court
A German court ruling has found that the famous Birkenstock shoe does not meet the legal definition of "applied art," ending a legal battle.
Are Birkenstocks a Work of Art? A German Court Says No.
On Thursday, the federal court of justice in Karlsruhe, Germany, ruled that Birkenstocks were not “copyrighted works of applied art,” making it harder for the 251-year-old German shoemaker to combat the widespread sale of duplicates of its sandals across the internet.
Birkenstock sandals not works of art, German court rules
Iconic German sandal manufacturer Birkenstock has lost a copyright battle against imitators, with Germany's Federal Court of Justice (BGH) ruling on Thursday that the Birkenstock design does not amount to a work of art.
Can footwear be considered art? Birkenstock’s case in Germany, explained
Celebrities have long embraced Birkenstock sandals, with stars like Katie Holmes, Gigi Hadid, and Reese Witherspoon often seen wearing the iconic summer footwear. The brand’s reputation for quality, comfort,
Birkenstock sandals are pieces of design, not art, court finds
Birkenstock sandals, which have evolved from a symbol of counterculture to a trendy fashion item, do not qualify as art and are therefore not protected by copyright, Germany's highest civil court ruled on Thursday.
Birkenstock sandals not ‘works of art,’ German court says in denying copyright bid
Federal Court of Justice rules Birkenstock is not entitled to damages from cut-price imitators of its footwear.
Birkenstock Sandals Are Not Art, Just Footwear, German Court Rules
A German court has walked all over Birkenstock’s attempt to copyright its iconic sandals in an IP battle fought by Hogan Lovells, SKW Schwarz, and BGH.
Birkenstock's are not ‘works of art’, rules German court – here's why
Birkenstock originally accused the retailers of selling 'copycat' models of the label's iconic styles and silhouettes, that ...
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Birkenstock sandals are not works of art, German court rules
The company claimed that their shoes can be classified as art and therefore are protected by copyright laws. Birkenstock first released the Original Birkenstock-Footbed Sandal in 1963, featuring ...
Birkenstock sandals are not art, says German court
The firm wanted to claim protection under copyright law, to stop rivals selling copycat versions of its shoes.