logo
Prada, Crocs, now Birkenstock: Why these shoemakers are in the news

Prada, Crocs, now Birkenstock: Why these shoemakers are in the news

India Today8 hours ago
Three global footwear giants - Prada, Crocs, and Birkenstock - have found themselves making headlines in India, though not for the reasons they might have intended. From legal crackdowns on counterfeits to cultural backlash over design appropriation, these brands have found themselves at the centre of courtrooms, cultural conversations, and crackdowns.BIRKENSTOCK CRACKS DOWN ON COUNTERFEITSGerman footwear brand Birkenstock has launched a major legal offensive in India to tackle the sale and manufacture of counterfeit products. According to a report in Reuters, court-appointed lawyers recently inspected several small-scale factories in and around Agra and New Delhi, seizing products allegedly mimicking the brand's popular sandals.advertisementThe raids stem from a lawsuit Birkenstock filed in May at the Delhi High Court, naming four footwear traders, four factories, and two unnamed individuals. The company claimed that fake versions of its products were being produced and distributed both locally and abroad.
On May 26, Justice Saurabh Banerjee issued a confidential order - made public only last week - appointing 10 local lawyers as commissioners to visit the suspected sites. The judge allowed the seizure of suspected counterfeit goods and noted that the samples shown in court appeared to be "cheap knock-offs" that could easily mislead customers."There is all likelihood of the public getting deceived... The differences, hardly if any, are not something which can be discernable to the naked eyes," the order read.Birkenstock, once popular among hippies and medical professionals, has surged back into pop culture - especially after Margot Robbie wore a pair of pink Birkenstocks in the final scene of the 2023 blockbuster Barbie. In India, the brand's women's footwear is priced between $46 (Rs 3950) and $233 (Rs 20,010), making it a premium choice in a mostly non-luxury market.
(Photo credit: Birkenstock Attitudes)
The case is scheduled for its next hearing on October 6. Reuters reported that Birkenstock and its legal team declined to comment, citing the ongoing proceedings.CROCS REVIVES 9-YEAR-OLD LEGAL BATTLEMeanwhile, Crocs Inc. is making a return to the courtroom as well. On July 2, a court revived a nine-year-old lawsuit that the US-based company filed against several Indian shoemakers - including Bata India, Relaxo, and Liberty - over alleged design infringement.Crocs accused these companies of copying the distinctive shape of its rubber clogs, which have developed a cult following globally since the brand's launch in 2002. While the suit was dismissed in 2019 on technical grounds, a recent appeal saw the Delhi High Court ruling that "the dismissal... cannot sustain in law", allowing Crocs to proceed with its challenge.
Crocs accused Indian shoemakers, including Bata India, Relaxo, and Liberty, of copying the distinctive shape of its rubber clogs. (PEXELS)
Crocs had originally asked the court to stop its rivals from manufacturing and selling what it called "obvious imitations" of its design. Liberty, one of the defendants, has argued that Crocs itself is not the originator of the clog style, claiming the design existed long before.advertisementThe revival of the case highlights the increasingly contested nature of intellectual property in India's $33.86 billion (Rs. 2.83 lakh crore) footwear market, where 97% of sales come from the non-luxury segment.PRADA-KOLHAPURI CONTROVERSYWhile Birkenstock and Crocs are navigating courts, Italian luxury house Prada is battling criticism on cultural grounds.The brand triggered a storm last week after showcasing open-toe leather sandals at its Milan fashion show that bore a striking resemblance to Kolhapuri chappals - traditional Indian footwear with centuries-old heritage. Critics on social media and lawmakers accused Prada of failing to acknowledge the Indian origins of the design.
Prada triggered a storm after showcasing open-toe leather sandals at its Milan fashion show that bore a striking resemblance to Kolhapuri chappals. (Reuters)
In response, Lorenzo Bertelli, Prada's head of corporate social responsibility, sent a letter to the Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce, acknowledging that the sandals were indeed inspired by "traditional Indian handcrafted footwear." He added that the design is still in early stages and that Prada is open to future engagement with Indian artisans.advertisementA company spokesperson reiterated the brand's commitment to "craftsmanship, heritage and design traditions."While Prada's men's leather sandals are priced upwards of $844 (Rs 72,485), Kolhapuris typically sell for around $12 (Rs 1,030) in Indian markets - underscoring the vast gap between global luxury and local artisan economies.The acknowledgement has drawn mixed reactions. Sambhaji Chhatrapati, a descendant of the Kolhapur royal family, said artisans deserved credit for "the history and heritage of 150 years." Others, like Kolhapur-based businessman Dileep More, viewed it as a positive moment of global recognition: "They are happy that someone is recognising their work."- EndsTrending Reel
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Lawyer's kidnapping and murder case cracked; 8 held
Lawyer's kidnapping and murder case cracked; 8 held

Time of India

time22 minutes ago

  • Time of India

Lawyer's kidnapping and murder case cracked; 8 held

Belagavi: Raibag police cracked the kidnapping and murder of lawyer Santosh Patil from Raibag by arresting eight accused and launching a search for two others who are absconding. SP Dr Bhimashankar Guled on Monday described the case as one of the most challenging investigations undertaken by police. "Both the victim and the main accused in the case are lawyers, which made the probe even more complex," he said. The arrested are Shivagouda Basagouda Patil, 47, Bharat Kallappa Koli, 26, Kiran Vasant Kempawade, 27, Suresh Bhimappa Nandi, 19, Uday Bhimappa Misennavar, 23, Sanjaykumar Yallappa Halabannalavar, 27, Ramu Bhimappa Dandapure,33, and Manjunath Basavaraj Talawar, 23. All have been produced before the court, which sent them to a 14-day judicial custody. According to SP Guled, the case began with a complaint filed on April 29 by the victim's wife, Rakha Patil, alleging that her husband, lawyer Santosh, was kidnapped by fellow lawyer Shivagouda and his associate Koli. Misennavar, a suspect from Belagavi, was detained and he named the other accused. Misennavar revealed that Santosh was murdered with sharp weapons on the same day of the abduction on April 27, and his body was taken to the Ramnagar forest in Karwar district, where it was burned using petrol. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Is it legal? How to get Internet without paying a subscription? Techno Mag Learn More Undo After days of searching, police located the spot and recovered charred remains, which were sent for DNA testing. The report confirmed the remains were of Santosh. Land dispute behind murder The motive behind the murder stemmed from a disputed property deal. According to SP Guled, the victim Santosh's late brother Laxman Patil worked as an assistant to Shivagouda, and together they purchased six sites in Indi town (Vijayapura district) and 1 acre-4 gunta of prime land in Raibag. All properties were registered in Laxman's name. Following Laxman's death during the Covid-19 pandemic, Santosh transferred the six sites to Laxman's wife and was in the process of transferring the Raibag land as well. This allegedly angered Shivagouda, who objected to the transfer. In retaliation, Shivagouda gave a contract for Rs 14 lakh to Halabannavar of Bailhongal for killing Santosh through his assistant lawyer Kiran Kempawade. Two accused — Mahaveer Hanji and Nagaraj Naik — are still absconding. Police have seized cash, the vehicle used for the crime, and the weapons involved.

Two arrested for posing as women and cheating man of Rs 4.5 lakh with marriage promise
Two arrested for posing as women and cheating man of Rs 4.5 lakh with marriage promise

Time of India

time22 minutes ago

  • Time of India

Two arrested for posing as women and cheating man of Rs 4.5 lakh with marriage promise

Noida: Two men from Delhi were arrested for allegedly posing as young, unmarried women on social media to cheat people by soliciting friendships and then taking money from them on various pretexts. The accused, Amit alias Aarav (23) and Mohd Rizwan (24), created fake profiles on platforms like Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp to befriend and deceive men with promises of romance and marriage, police said. They were held on Sunday. According to police, the duo would adopt names, such as "Mansi", "Sanju", and "Nandani", and use stolen photos of women to create convincing online identities. They would initiate conversations, express interest in marriage, and slowly gain the trust of their targets. Once emotionally involved, the victims were asked to send money on various pretexts, including medical emergencies, family troubles and wedding-related expenses. You Can Also Check: Noida AQI | Weather in Noida | Bank Holidays in Noida | Public Holidays in Noida The case came to light when a man working at a medical store in Greater Noida filed a complaint at Surajpur police station. He alleged that he was cheated of Rs 4.5 lakh by two persons, one of whom had introduced herself as a young woman online and later proposed marriage. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo However, when the complainant insisted on finalising the marriage, the second accused allegedly contacted him posing as the woman's brother, threatened to fine a case against him for "obscene conversations", and extorted an additional Rs 20,000. "The entire plot was carefully crafted to emotionally manipulate and financially exploit the victims. Once the money was transferred, the accused would resort to intimidation, pretending to be protective family members and blackmail the victims into paying more," DCP (Central Noida) Shakti Mohan Avasthy said. Police registered a case under the BNS and the IT Act and launched an investigation. Using electronic surveillance and social media data, they tracked and arrested the suspects. Two mobile phones and a motorbike were recovered from their possession. Cops are now trying to ascertain how long the duo had been operating and how many people may have fallen prey to their scheme. They suspect the involvement of more people in the racket. "People must exercise caution while using social media to meet new people and refrain from sharing personal or financial details with strangers," the DCP said.

One-take movie by Iranian director among 98 films competing at fest
One-take movie by Iranian director among 98 films competing at fest

Time of India

time23 minutes ago

  • Time of India

One-take movie by Iranian director among 98 films competing at fest

1 2 Kolkata: Ninety-eight films, exploring diverse subjects, such as AI, the desire for hilsa in a patriarchal household and Kolkata's music shop, are vying for the top awards at the 8th South Asian Short Film Festival that started at Nandan on Monday. Among the entries at the festival, launched by the Federation of Film Societies of India (Eastern Region), is a single-take film—'Spasm' —by an Iranian director and an Indian producer. Directed by Sahra Asadollahi and produced by Deepankar Prakash, the short film, 'Spasm', is about what happens when a woman who has never acted in film goes for an audition that becomes a test of more than just her acting ability. "I met Sahra at a festival in Nepal in 2023. Soon, we decided to collaborate and started work on this 27-minute-long film. Sahra, an actor in Iran, shot the film completely in Tehran, while I was in India. She herself played the role of the woman in the film," said Prakash, whose 'Naanera' had won in the competition on Indian Language's Films at the Kolkata International Film Festival in 2022. You Can Also Check: Kolkata AQI | Weather in Kolkata | Bank Holidays in Kolkata | Public Holidays in Kolkata In 'Spasm', Asadollahi plays a young Iranian woman who dreamed of being an actor since her childhood but could not manage to get a good role. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Меките и удобни ежедневни обувки улесняват ходенето ZAROTRAVEL® КУПИ СЕГА Undo Finally, she is called for an audition, where the director and producer of an upcoming film interview her. From her father's horse to her 10-month-old baby—questions are flung at her from all quarters. Finally, a situation arises where she is compelled to believe she is rejected. But the situation takes a different turn when she is told the confrontation was deliberately orchestrated to evaluate her acting skill. In recent times, the long single-take shooting approach, especially after the success of 'Adolescence', has got cine enthusiasts talking. 'Spasm' is the first one-take film in competition at the South Asian Short Film Festival. What makes this film engaging is how minimalism has been effectively used to counter the challenges of filming by a woman director in Iran. Shot inside one room with minimal production and sound design, 'Spasm' features only an animated Asadollahi seated in front of the camera. The camera angle is such that the faces of no other cast member, including the director and the producer, are visible. For many independent film-makers, who complain about shortage of funds and lack of infrastructure in this city, the film is a lesson on how big ideas, not big budgets, are important for good cinema. "Sahra is unable to come to Kolkata now because of the situation in her country. But I will be at the festival," Prakash added.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store