From Margot Robbie flaunting them in Barbie to South Indian superstar Mammootty sporting them in films like Bheeshma Parvam and Turbo, Birkenstock footwear has become a fashion symbol across generations and continents. But behind their rising popularity in India, the German brand is now caught in a legal tussle.

What the Reuters report reveals

According to a Reuters investigation, a legal case filed by Birkenstock in the Delhi High Court alleges counterfeit versions of its popular sandals are being manufactured and sold in India. The report reveals that the company filed an infringement case in May against four footwear traders, four factories, and two unnamed individuals.

The complaint pointed to rural areas in and around Agra—a city known for its leather industry—as key centres where these imitation sandals were being produced and even exported to other countries.

Following this, on May 26, a Delhi judge issued a confidential order—made public only last week—appointing ten local lawyers as court commissioners to inspect the suspected factories.

The court authorised the commissioners to seize and seal the fake products. Birkenstock had earlier submitted photos and product samples, which the judge said looked like “cheap knock-offs” that could easily deceive customers.

The court-ordered visits took place in Agra and New Delhi, and the findings have now been submitted confidentially. The next hearing is scheduled for October 6.

The Reuters report also highlights how other international brands are acting against imitation in India. Crocs recently revived a nine-year-old legal battle, and Prada came under criticism for using designs resembling traditional Indian footwear without initially giving credit.

While Birkenstock sandals have found fans in both Western cinema and South Indian films, the company now faces a challenge of a different kind: safeguarding its brand in India’s complex marketplace.