BIRKENSTOCK Secures Victory in Dutch Copyright Case

BIRKENSTOCK has won a significant copyright case in the Netherlands against the Dutch retailer Scapino. The District Court of Midden-Nederland in Utrecht ruled in favor of BIRKENSTOCK, issuing an injunction to stop Scapino from selling unauthorized copies of BIRKENSTOCK's Arizona, Madrid, and Florida sandals. This decision arrives despite a contrasting ruling by the German Federal Court of Justice, showcasing differing legal interpretations across Europe.

Scapino now faces a halt in sales of the infringed products under threat of a €100,000 penalty. Additionally, they must reveal sales data from August 2024 and cover legal costs exceeding €50,000. A pending case in the European Court of Justice might further influence copyright recognition for product design across the EU.