Birkenstock sandals are ubiquitous in summer. But can the well-known footwear be considered art? That’s the question Germany’s Federal Court of Justice had to wrestle with on Thursday.

In a lawsuit, Birkenstock aimed to combat knockoffs, but the court determined the German footwear does not meet the definition of “applied art.”

A German court is putting its foot down. Birkenstocks are not art. Birkenstocks are cool enough for influencers, Hollywood stars and even Barbie — but they do not qualify as art, Germany’s top court ruled Thursday. The company claimed that their shoes can be classified as art and therefore are protected by copyright laws.

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, comfort,

Birkenstock, a German footwear brand known for its comfortable and stylish sandals, sought to prevent three competitors from selling similar products by claiming copyright protection. The company said that its sandals should be recognised as works of art,

The German Supreme Court ruled that the Birkenstock sandals are not a work of art and are not subject to copyright protection. Informs about this News.ro .

(CNN)– Birkenstocks are not art, they are just shoes. A German court rejected the sandal company’s effort to copyright four slip-on styles. Birkenstock officials say copyrighting the styles would thwart cheaper imitations by other brands. The federal court ruled Birkenstocks do not have enough individuality to qualify as applied art.

Birkenstock sandals, which have evolved from a symbol of counterculture to a trendy fashion item, do not qualify as art and are therefore not protected by copyright, Germany's highest civil court ruled on Thursday.

That's the question Germany's Federal Court of Justice wrestled with Thursday, and it ruled they're just comfy footwear. Birkenstock, which is headquartered in Linz am Rhein, Germany, and says its ...

The firm wanted to claim protection under copyright law, to stop rivals selling copycat versions of its shoes.

Can Birkenstock sandals be ‘work of art’? German court says no - The shoe manufacturer claimed its sandals ‘are copyright-protected works of applied art’