The shoe manufacturer claimed its sandals “are copyright-protected works of applied art" that may not simply be imitated. Under German law, works of art enjoy stronger and longer-last intellectual property protections than ordinary consumer products.

Birkenstock sandals, which have evolved from a symbol of counterculture to a trendy fashion item, do not qualify as art and are therefore not protected by copyright, Germany's highest civil court ruled on Thursday.

They may be the trendy footwear of choice for Hollywood A-listers and pop stars, but Birkenstock sandals are not works of art, Germany's top court ruled.