Dutch court bans Lidl from selling copies of Birkenstock sandals — MyJoyOnline

A court in the Netherlands has ordered discount retailer Lidl to stop selling sandals that it found to be imitations of Birkenstock models. The ban applies throughout the country and concerns versions of the Arizona, Madrid, Gizeh, Boston and Florida models, MyJoyOnline reports.

Fine and sales data

The court found that Lidl had infringed Birkenstock’s trademark rights related to the design of the insole. If the ruling is not complied with, the company faces a fine of €5,000 for each day.

Lidl must also provide Birkenstock with sales data on the disputed footwear. The retailer was ordered to compensate Birkenstock and pay its legal costs. The amount of these payments will be determined in separate court rulings.

The ruling may be appealed. The BBC contacted Lidl for comment on the court decision.

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Other design cases

Birkenstock said the verdict was a clear signal that copycat manufacturers should not benefit from the brand’s creative ideas and innovations. The company also said it would continue to protect its rights by all available legal means and counter imitations of its products.

In November 2025, a Dutch court banned retailer Scapino from selling similar sandal models. That decision is being appealed. In December 2025, Europe’s highest court ruled that ordinary commercial goods may be protected by copyright if their design reflects creative choices. Birkenstock called this decision important for its “iconic” sandals.

At the same time, in early 2025, Germany’s highest court found Birkenstock sandals to be utilitarian goods rather than works of art. The company then called the decision a missed opportunity.