// Adidas loses its trademark infringement case against luxury menswear designer Thom Browne
// The sportswear retailer alleged the designer’s four-strip patten violated its three-strip logo trademark
Adidas has lost its trademark infringement case against menswear designer Thom Browne over the label’s use of stripes.
Jurors ruled on Thursday that the designer’s use of parallel lines on its designs did not infringe on Adidas’ three-stripe trademark or cause confusion among shoppers.
Adidas sued Thom Browne in 2021 claiming that the designer’s four-stripe pattern violated its three-stripe logo trademark, which it registered in 1949.
The sportswear retailer filed for $8 million in damages.
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Thom Browne argued that consumers would not mix up its luxury clothing for Adidas’ mainstream collection.
It added it had been using the four-stripe design since 2007 and Adidas should have pursued legal action earlier.
Adidas said in a statement: “We are disappointed with the verdict and will continue to vigilantly enforce our intellectual property, including filing any appropriate appeals.”
This is not the first time the sportswear retailer has sued brands over possible trademark infringement.
It filed suits against Polo Ralph Lauren in 2004, Abercrombie & Fitch in 2005, Aldo in 2009 and Forever 21 in 2017.
A Thom Browne spokesperson said: “We are pleased that the jury found that at no time did Thom Browne, Inc. infringe on any of Adidas’ trademarks.
“For over 20 years now, Thom Browne has been a pioneering force in luxury fashion, bringing a wholly unique and distinctive design aesthetic that combines classic tailoring with American sportswear sensibilities.”
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