German footwear brand Birkenstock is suing Italian footwear manufacturer Goldstar for intellectual property infringement. The subject of the dispute was the tread sole of the shoe, a patent right for production, which a German manufacturer tried to establish several times in Europe. However, the Italians managed to challenge the right to the sole.
“In all courts (the last verdict was in Paris on January 29), we have proven that we have been using this sole for 40 years, and we have every right to use it,” said Elvio Silvani, owner of the Goldstar brand. As stated in a press release from Goldstar, the Italian company has confirmed its right to manufacture the sole in the Court of Justice of the European Union, as well as in the courts of Italy, Germany, France and the Benelux.
“Birkenstock's clumsy attempt to eliminate a competitor through legal procedures was prevented: virtually all cases initiated by Birkenstock in Europe with the aim of registering a single design as a patent were rejected,” Elvio Silvani told his partners in an official letter.
Casual shoes for men, women and children are produced under the Goldstar brand. The iconic model of Goldstar is the sandals with two straps with an insole that follows the shape of the foot, which in their appearance are direct competitors to the German "birkenstock". At the same time, the shoes of the Italian brand are widely represented in Europe, both in Italy and abroad. In addition to the Goldstar footwear brand, Silvani owns the Valleverde and Biochic footwear brands.
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