Birkenstock targets fakes amid growing pressure on India’s counterfeit trade
Birkenstock takes on Indian counterfeit trade in Delhi lawsuit
- Birkenstock, the German footwear brand, has initiated legal action in India against multiple manufacturers and sellers for producing and exporting counterfeit versions of its products.
- The infringement case, filed in May with the Delhi High Court, targets four footwear traders, four manufacturing units, and two individuals primarily operating in Agra and New Delhi.
- In an earlier ruling the court found that the fake products and packaging are so similar to genuine Birkenstock items that they are "hardly discernible to the naked eye," leading to public deception.
- Following a court order on 26 May, inspections have been carried out at factories, with counterfeit stock seized and evidence collected, and a follow-up hearing is scheduled for 6 October.
- This legal action reflects a broader trend of international brands, including Crocs and Christian Louboutin, combating intellectual property theft and the thriving counterfeit market in India.