German footwear brand Birkenstock has taken legal action in India, securing a court order in May to investigate and seize counterfeit sandals from small-scale factories in Agra and New Delhi, according to leading news agency Reuters.
Birkenstock filed an infringement lawsuit in the Delhi High Court against four footwear traders, four factories, and two unnamed individuals. An internal investigation revealed that fake Birkenstock sandals were being produced near Agra—a popular tourist destination—and sold both domestically and internationally.
On May 26, Justice Saurabh Banerjee issued a confidential order appointing 10 lawyers as court commissioners. These representatives were authorised to “seize, pack and seal” the counterfeit products. The documents Birkenstock submitted included photos of the fake sandals and their packaging bearing the company’s branding.
Inspections have since taken place, and reports were filed back to the court ahead of the next hearing, scheduled for October 6. According to the judge, the counterfeit sandals appear to be “cheap knock‑offs” with only minimal differences that are “hardly… discernable to the naked eyes,” increasing the risk of consumer deception.
This legal maneuver by Birkenstock comes amid a wave of similar actions by other footwear brands in India. This month, Crocs received court approval to advance a nine-year-old infringement case, while Prada has faced criticism over sandals resembling traditional Indian footwear without acknowledging their origin.
