German court says birconstock sandals are not art
Birkenstocks can be cool enough for Barbie, but sandals are not as qualified as art, a German court has ruled.
The company claimed that its shoes could be classified as art and therefore preserved by copyright laws, and the case brought the case to prevent rivals selling copycat versions of its cork-satisfied sandals.
But a judge rejected the claim, stating that shoes were practical design items.
Birkenstocks were once considered unqual, but in recent years the final scene of the 2023 hit Barbie film wore a pink pair of sandals by actress Margot Robbie, actress Margot Robbie attracted more attention.
Sandals, which feature a molded leg, have been praised for comfortable and stronger, and many color options and strap styles have developed since the original leather -covered version in the 1960s.
Even though it was initially rejected from the catwalk, it soon became a fashionable item, which scored a seal of approval from Supermodel Kate Moss in the 1990s, and even celebrity feet at Academy Awards But also appeared.
Finally company Listed on New York Stock Exchange in 2023Evaluation of the firm at approximately $ 8.6bn (£ 7.08bn) – its price doubles in 2021.
The popularity of birkenstocks means rivals often sell knock-off versions, inspired the firm to claim that it is called “reputed design”.
When it comes to a product, German law distinguishes between design and art. Design provides a practical purpose, while art functions require a certain amount of individual creativity.
The art is covered by copyright protection, which lasts up to 70 years after the death of the manufacturer, while the design protection lasts up to 25 years when filing was done.
Born in the 1930s, Shmker Carl Birconstock is still alive. Since some of their sandals no longer enjoy design security, the firm tried to get copyright protection by demanding to classify their shoes as art.
But the claim was “baseless”, Judge Thomas Coach said.
His decision stated that for copyright protection, “a degree of design should be obtained which reflects personality”.
