Court in Germany rules Birkenstock sandals not piece of art

(CNN)– Birkenstocks are not art, they are just shoes.

A German court rejected the sandal company’s effort to copyright four slip-on styles.

Birkenstock officials say copyrighting the styles would thwart cheaper imitations by other brands.

The federal court ruled Birkenstocks do not have enough individuality to qualify as applied art.

Birkenstock issued a statement saying it was a “missed opportunity for copyright protection in Germany.”