Key facts
- Lidl must stop selling imitation Birkenstock sandals in the Netherlands.
- A Dutch court ruled Lidl infringed on Birkenstock's trademarked "footbed design".
- Lidl faces a daily fine of €5,000 for non-compliance.
- Lidl must provide sales data to Birkenstock.
- Lidl must compensate Birkenstock and pay legal fees.
A Dutch court has ruled that discount supermarket chain Lidl must cease selling imitation versions of Birkenstock's popular sandals in the Netherlands. The court found that Lidl's copycat designs infringed upon Birkenstock's trademarked "footbed design," specifically mentioning models such as the Arizona, Madrid, Gizeh, Boston, and Florida.
If Lidl fails to comply with the ruling, it faces a daily fine of €5,000 (£4,200). The company is also required to surrender sales data to Birkenstock and will need to compensate the sandal maker, with the exact amounts to be determined in subsequent legal proceedings. Birkenstock stated that the judgment sends a message that "copycats must not be allowed to free-ride on [our] creativity and innovation."
This decision is the latest in a series of legal battles for Birkenstock concerning its designs. In November 2025, a Dutch court ordered retailer Scapino to stop selling similar lookalikes, a decision that is currently under appeal. Europe's highest court also ruled in December 2025 that everyday commercial products can hold copyright if they represent creative design choices, a ruling Birkenstock deemed relevant to its "iconic" sandals. However, Birkenstock experienced a setback in Germany's highest court in early 2025, where its sandals were deemed practical products rather than works of art, a ruling the company called a "missed opportunity."
Birkenstock has indicated it will continue to vigorously defend its rights against imitations and take decisive action against copycats. The company is not alone in facing such disputes, with other footwear brands like Dr. Martens and luxury house Christian Louboutin also engaging in legal action against mass retailers for design mimicry.