The company Birkenstock filed a lawsuit against three competitors who sold sandal models similar to its own, claiming their design was protected as applied art.

NEW YORK — Exhibitors showing at Designers & Agents, along with retailers shopping the show, were pleased with the pace of business at the three-day exhibition that ended Tuesday.

The shoe manufacturer claimed its sandals “are copyright-protected works of applied art" that may not simply be imitated.

Courtesy of Grey Goose Graphics ...