Due to the lack of "individual character" compared to prior designs of other holed, foam-like shoes, the European Union's Office for Harmonization in the Internal Market (OHIM) ruled that patent of Crocs' Beach model was invalid.

The decision could make Crocs loses its Registered Community Design protection for its Beach model, which would allow the company to forbid other companies from producing unauthorized copycat designs in the European Union countries and stop imports of knock-offs into the European Union.

Crocs is planning to appeal the ruling.

The decision comes amid a host of ongoing patent battles between Crocs and several shoe manufacturers.

Canada-based Holey Soles Holdings Ltd., one of those manufacturers, has been in a legal battle with Crocs for nearly three years. Both companies filed suits against one another, alleging infringement.