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Birkenstock Targets Counterfeiters in India with Court-Backed Factory Raids

German footwear giant Birkenstock has launched a major legal offensive in India to combat the growing trade in counterfeit sandals. Following an internal investigation that uncovered fake Birkenstock products being manufactured in and around Agra, the company filed an infringement lawsuit in the Delhi High Court in May. The court responded swiftly. On May 26, Judge Saurabh Banerjee authorized ten court-appointed commissioners to conduct surprise inspections of suspected factories in Agra and New Delhi. These visits, now completed, resulted in the seizure and sealing of allegedly fake products bearing Birkenstock branding. The judge noted that the counterfeit sandals were nearly indistinguishable from genuine ones, posing a serious risk of deceiving consumers. The next hearing in the case is scheduled for October 6. Birkenstock’s crackdown comes amid a broader wave of intellectual property enforcement in India’s footwear industry, with brands like Crocs and Prada also pursuing legal act...
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Sunak Cancels Meeting with Mitsotakis over Parthenon Marbles Dispute

 

The UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has called off a planned meeting with his Greek counterpart Kyriakos Mitsotakis over a disagreement about the ownership of the Parthenon marbles, also known as the Elgin marbles. The ancient sculptures, which were removed from the Parthenon temple in Athens by Lord Elgin in the early 19th century, are currently displayed in the British Museum in London. Greece has long demanded their return, claiming they are part of its cultural heritage and national identity.

The meeting, which was scheduled for Tuesday, was canceled after Mitsotakis made a remark in a BBC interview on Sunday, comparing the situation to cutting the Mona Lisa in half and displaying it in two different museums. Sunak was reportedly annoyed by the comment, which he saw as disrespectful and provocative. A senior Conservative Party source said that the meeting became impossible due to the commentary regarding the historical antiquities.

Mitsotakis expressed his disappointment in a statement on Monday night, saying that he was hoping to discuss the issue with Sunak, as well as other global challenges such as Gaza, Ukraine, climate crisis, and migration. He added that those who believe in the accuracy of their positions should not be afraid of hearing opposing points of view. He also reiterated that the matter does not concern the British government, but the British Museum.

The Parthenon marbles dispute has been a source of tension between the two countries for decades, and has recently gained more attention due to the opening of a new museum in Athens, the Acropolis Museum, which has a dedicated space for the missing sculptures. The British Museum has maintained that the marbles were legally acquired by Lord Elgin and that they are better preserved and more accessible in London. However, Greece argues that the marbles were taken without proper consent and that they belong to the Parthenon, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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