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.

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The company had claimed its footwear could be classified as art and so was protected by copyright laws in a case it put forward to stop rivals selling copycat versions of the cork-soled sandals.

But a judge dismissed the claim, saying the shoes were practical design items - a decision Birkenstock called a "missed opportunity for the protection of intellectual property".

The firm's shoes were once deemed uncool but in recent years have become hugely popular, and gained more attention after actress Margot Robbie wore a pink pair in the final scene of the 2023 hit Barbie movie.

The sandals, which feature a moulded footbed, have been praised for being comfortable and sturdy, and many colour options and strap styles have evolved since the original leather-strapped version in the 1960s.