In a David and Goliath tale of the activewear world, online retailer LNDR yesterday won a trademark battle over global giant Nike’s use of “LDNR” in a recent advertising campaign.
The ruling from the Intellectual Property Enterprise Court means Nike can’t use “LDNR” again as it had been doing in its Nothing beats a Londoner campaign, which the court found to be an infringement of LNDR’s trademarks.
Nike’s TV advert featured Sir Mo Farah, Harry Kane and Skepta, and was gaining significant social media attention.
LNDR is an activewear brand that was founded in east London in 2015.
Founder Joanna Turner argued that Nike’s campaign underlined the idea that “LDNR” was either a Nike trademark or a collaboration between LNDR and Nike.
“We felt that we had no choice, but to protect our brand and identity, and the trademarks that support them, which are critical to our continued growth,” she said.
“It was not an easy decision to go up against a giant like Nike, and it is not a situation you imagine you will ever have to take on. We are both pleased and relieved that the judge saw things the same way as we did.”
LNDR’s law firm Osborne Clark praised the online retailer and brand’s “brave” decision to sue Nike.
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