New Delhi, July 8 -- German footwear giant Birkenstock has launched an infringement lawsuit against counterfeiters in India, which has led to inspections of small-scale factories in areas across New Delhi and Agra in recent weeks.

The factory visits were conducted by Indian court-appointed legal representatives with the aim of seizing suspected fake Birkenstock footwear.

This is not an isolated case, as other International shoemakers are also in the news for battling intellectual property infringement in the Indian market.

Birkenstock's crackdown began with an internal investigation that found that counterfeits were being made in rural areas across New Delhi and Agra, which is home to the iconic Taj Mahal.

These fakes were sold locall...