Adidas vs. Thom Browne: the war breaks out for the stripes logo

There are logos that are universally recognizable and that allow a brand to be identified even without looking at the name. Chanel's interlocking double C, Versace's Medusa, Louis Vuitton's Monogram flower... and adidas stripes. The German sports company has always protected tooth and nail any resemblance to its logo, made up of three stripes and whose origin, according to the brand itself, dates back to 1952. In 2017 alone, adidas filed nearly 50 lawsuits regarding the use of bands or stripes by other companies, from Tesla, J. Crew or Abercrombie & Fitch to FC Barcelona. The last signature that has been put in its sights for this reason has been the American Thom Browne.

As reported by The Fashion Law, adidas filed a complaint with a New York court last Monday for trademark infringement. It alleges that Thom Browne is "selling sports-style clothing and footwear with two, three or four parallel stripes in a way that is confusingly similar to adidas' three stripes brand." In the complaint, the sports brand says the following: "For more than half a century, it has extensively and continuously used and promoted the mark of the three stripes in relation to clothing and footwear."

Although Thom Browne is a firm known for its suits and for having revived men's tailoring in the 21st century, adidas makes these considerations: "More recently, it has invaded direct competition with adidas by offering sports-style clothing and footwear that bear motifs. confusingly similar. Adidas also indicated that Thom Browne has partnered with FC Barcelona, ​​beginning with the 2018-2019 season and continuing today.

burnt. now beginning ugly sobbing. (at least i now know how to flour and grease a bundt pan so cake doesn't stick) http://t.co/cwjam9WRfR

— Kristine Sat Apr 11 12:40:18 +0000 2015

The dispute is actually not new. Adidas itself acknowledges in the document that the mediation process began in November 2020, but that those procedures have not resolved the dispute.

The other party involved in this matter, Thom Browne, replied to WWD yesterday through his CEO, Rodrigo Baza. He had this to say: “We believe we are right and we are confident in the outcome of the case as we have acted honorably throughout this time. [Adidas] consented for 12 years and now they're changing their minds. The court will not allow it. And neither do consumers. It is an attempt to use the law illegally."

This dispute comes after Louboutin's legal battle against the Dutch brand Van Haren over the use of the red soles. The Court of First Instance in The Hague agreed with the French firm in February 2019 and ordered Van Haren to destroy all copies of that shoe model.