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 a ...

Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. FILE -A Birkenstock sandal is pictured in Birkenstock store in Frankfurt, Germany, Oct. 4, 2023. (AP Photo ...

Birkenstock sandals are displayed in Birkenstock store in Frankfurt, Germany, Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023. Can the sandals be considered art? That's what Germany's Federal Court of Justice had to ...

Frankfurt (Germany) (AFP) – They may be the trendy footwear of choice for Hollywood A-listers and pop stars, but Birkenstock sandals are not works of art, Germany's top court ruled Thursday.

Germany's top court ruled against Birkenstock's attempt to define its famous sandals as works of art, denying the footwear enhanced copyright protections. The court sided with competitors like Tchibo ...

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, ...

The shoe company argued its sandals "are copyright-protected works of applied art" that may not be imitated - in an effort to try and stop copy-cat sellers. The Birkenstock sandal is recognisable ...

FILE -A Birkenstock sandal is pictured in Birkenstock store in Frankfurt, Germany, Oct. 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Probst, File) ...

But can these sandals be considered art? That’s the question Germany’s Federal Court of Justice wrestled with Thursday, and it ruled they’re just comfy footwear. Birkenstock, which is ...

In a landmark decision, Germany's Federal Court of Justice has ruled that the famed Birkenstock sandals are not to be considered works of art, but rather as functional footwear. This verdict came ...

But can these sandals be considered art? That's the question Germany's Federal Court of Justice wrestled with Thursday, and it ruled they're just comfy footwear. Recommended Videos Birkenstock ...