Germany's Federal Court of Justice has ruled that Birkenstocks, a popular and comfortable sandal brand, cannot be deemed works of applied art under copyright law. The case began when Birkenstock filed a lawsuit against competitors selling similar sandals, claiming their designs were copyright-protected. After initial support from a lower regional court, an appeals court overturned this, questioning the artistic merit of the sandals. The Federal Court ultimately sided with the higher court, reinforcing that Birkenstocks are standard footwear, reflecting a complex interplay between art, law, and consumer rights.
The court ruled that Birkenstocks are just comfortable footwear and cannot be considered copyright-protected works of applied art, thus dismissing the lawsuit.
The dispute over whether Birkenstocks qualify as art highlights the tension between intellectual property rights and consumer demands for affordable alternatives.
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