US Markets
Home›US Markets›M&A & Deals›Lidl barred from selling Birkenstock-style sandals in…
Lidl barred from selling Birkenstock-style sandals in Netherlands
The Dutch court ordered Lidl to stop selling the copycat models nationwide and set a €5,000 per day fine for noncompliance, plus a requirement to turn over sales data to Birkenstock.
A Dutch court has ruled that Lidl must stop selling copycat versions of Birkenstock sandals in the Netherlands, after finding the discount grocer infringed Birkenstock's trademark related to the sandals' footbed design, according to a BBC Business report.
The court also ordered Lidl to pay a daily fine of €5,000 if it does not comply and to hand over sales data to Birkenstock. The ruling further requires Lidl to compensate Birkenstock and cover legal fees, with the exact amounts to be set in separate court decisions.
Birkenstock said the decision reinforces that copycats should not be allowed to free ride on its creativity and innovation, and it said it will keep defending its rights using all legal options. BBC Business reports that Lidl was not immediately available for comment.
The BBC noted the case sits within a broader pattern of fashion brand disputes over design mimicry, including prior actions involving other retailers and a recent European court decision that everyday commercial products can qualify for copyright when they reflect creative design choices.