Dutch court bans Lidl from selling copycat Birkenstcok sandals

The District Court of Gelderland ruled that Lidl must stop selling copies of Birkenstock’s sandals. The supermarket chain faces a fine of 5,000 euros per day if it does not comply and does not hand over sales data to Birkenstock. Lidl also needs to compensate the company and pay its legal fees.

The court found that the discount chain infringed on Birkenstock’s trademarked "footbed design.” Lidl, therefore, cannot sell its copied version of Birkenstock’s Arizona, Madrid, Boston, Florida, and Gizeh models.

“Copycats must not be allowed to free-ride on [our] creativity and innovation," is the message the court ruling sends, according to Birkenstock. The ruling can still be appealed.

The company said after the ruling that it will ”continue to defend its rights vigorously and will use all available legal means to combat imitations of its iconic products.” "To protect its retail partners and consumers, Birkenstock will continue to take decisive action against copycats seeking to profit from the company's creative ideas and innovations," it added.

Lidl won a similar case last year against ski clothing brand Goldbergh over winter jackets. Philips was also in a years-long dispute with the supermarket chain over electric razors sold under Lidl’s home brand, Silvercrest. After an appellate court ruling in Lidl’s favor, the Dutch Supreme Court vacated the verdict telling the courts to litigate the case again.

Lidl has also been accused on numerous occasions of copying the design of labels from top food brands, like Calve peanut butter. It was also part of a case in which the manufacturer of the popular snack dip, Heksenkaas, accused a rival producer of creating a cheaper replica for sale in Lidl’s refrigerated aisles.