Last Updated:July 06, 2025, 19:04 IST
The company’s internal investigation reportedly found that fake versions of its popular sandals were being manufactured in rural areas near the tourist hub of Agra
Birkenstock sandals are displayed in Birkenstock store in Frankfurt, Germany. (AP file photo)
German footwear brand Birkenstock has launched a legal crackdown in India against suspected counterfeit sandals, leading court-appointed officials to inspect and raid several small factories, mostly around the city of Agra.
The action comes after an infringement lawsuit filed by Birkenstock in May, according to people familiar with the matter told Reuters.
The company’s internal investigation reportedly found that fake versions of its popular sandals were being manufactured in rural areas near the tourist hub of Agra, home to the Taj Mahal, and sold both within India and overseas. The Delhi High Court is currently hearing the case.
On May 26, Judge Saurabh Banerjee issued a confidential order, recently made public, appointing 10 local lawyers as court commissioners to carry out surprise inspections. These officials were given the authority to “seize, pack and seal” products that allegedly copied Birkenstock’s branding. The court order also included photographs of the suspected fake sandals and packaging submitted by the company.
According to three sources familiar with the case, the raids have now been completed in Agra and New Delhi, and confidential reports have been submitted to the judge. The next hearing is scheduled for 6 October.
Birkenstock, which did not comment on the case, is being represented by the Delhi-based law firm Lall & Sethi. The lawyers also declined to speak publicly, citing ongoing legal proceedings.
In his order, the judge stated that the alleged fakes “seem like a cheap knock off” and could easily mislead customers. “The differences, hardly if any, are not something which can be discerned by the naked eye,” he said.
This case comes at a time when other global footwear brands are also facing intellectual property disputes in India. Crocs recently received court approval to continue a long-running legal battle, while Prada has faced criticism for selling sandals similar to traditional Indian designs without initially acknowledging their origins.
Birkenstock sandals, once associated with counterculture and worn by medical professionals and tech workers, gained renewed popularity after Margot Robbie wore a pink pair in the final scene of the 2023 film Barbie. In India, the brand’s footwear ranges from $46 to $233.
(With inputs from Reuters)
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