Legal Battle over Sandal Design
sued competitors, claiming its sandals are "copyright-protected works of applied art," seeking to block similar designs.
Germany's Federal Court of Justice ruled against Birkenstock, stating sandals cannot be copyrighted as art due to their design being driven by technical requirements.
Implications and Responses
The court's decision emphasizes that for copyright protection, a product must exhibit a degree of design showing individuality, which Birkenstock sandals do not meet.
Despite the setback, Birkenstock remains committed to protecting its brand against copycats, highlighting the ongoing legal and market challenges faced by iconic designs.