AssetID: 54533637
Headline: UNCAPTIONED: Birkenstock Loses Court Battle: Sandals Deemed Design, Not Art
Caption: Birkenstock Loses Court Battle: Sandals Deemed Design, Not Art. Germany’s highest civil court has ruled that Birkenstock sandals, despite their cultural impact, are considered pieces of design and not art, denying them copyright protection. The Federal Court of Justice dismissed Birkenstock’s lawsuit aimed at blocking competitors like Tchibo from selling similar sandal styles. Presiding Judge Thomas Koch declared the company’s claims “unfounded,” stating that Birkenstocks do not meet the criteria for copyright-protected works of applied art. Under German law, copyright protects art for 70 years after the creator’s death, while design protection expires after 25 years—leaving some older Birkenstock models unprotected. The court emphasized that design serves a functional purpose, whereas applied art must exhibit a higher degree of individual artistic creativity. Although designer Karl Birkenstock, born in 1936, is still alive, his 1970s sandal designs no longer benefit from design protection due to the time elapsed. Birkenstock’s lawyer, Konstantin Wegner, argued the sandals’ “iconic design” warranted art status and announced plans for further legal action following the court’s decision. Once associated with counterculture, tech enthusiasts, and healthcare professionals, Birkenstocks surged in popularity after Margot Robbie wore a pink pair in the 2023 film Barbie. Founded in 1774 and operated by the Birkenstock family for six generations, the brand sold a majority stake to U.S. private equity firm L Catterton, backed by French billionaire Bernard Arnault and LVMH. L Catterton remains Birkenstock’s largest shareholder after the company’s public listing in 2023, despite the recent legal setback. Instructions: THIS VIDEO MUST NOT BE EDITED FOR LENGTH TO COMBINE WITH OTHER CONTENT
Keywords: Current Affairs & Politics,Germany,German,High Court,Court,Civil Court,Art,Design,Pieces,Lawsuit,Blocking,Competitors,Tchibo,Selling,Similar,Sandal,Styles,Federal Court of Justice,Barbie,Designs,Shoes,Dismissed,Ruled,Copyright,Judge,Thomas Koch,Company,Karl Birkenstock,Designer,German Law
PersonInImage: