Adidas loses stripes row trademark battle with luxury designer Thom Browne

Thom Browne defeats Adidas in a trademark dispute over "stripes row"

In an effort to stop a fashion designer from employing a four-stripe pattern, Adidas reportedly lost a court challenge.

In an effort to stop a fashion designer from employing a four-stripe pattern, Adidas reportedly lost a court challenge.

According to the BBC, the sportswear giant claimed that Thom Browne Inc.'s four stripes were too similar to its three stripes.

Due to the fact that his brand had a different number of stripes, among other factors, Browne said that consumers were unlikely to confuse the two brands.

Adidas had intended to seek damages of more than $7.8 million, but a New York jury decided in favour of Browne.

The BBC claims that Browne commonly incorporates four horizontal, parallel stripes across the sleeve of a shirt or, as seen on the designer himself, a pair of socks.

Three stripes are a common element of Adidas clothing.

The defence team for Browne positioned him as the underdog going up against a powerful business and said that the two brands catered to distinct markets.

Thom Browne Inc. produces high-end clothing for affluent consumers; for instance, a pair of women's compression leggings costs 680 pounds while a polo shirt costs 270 pounds.

According to the BBC, Browne's attorneys also contended that stripes constitute a typical pattern.

Although Adidas first filed a lawsuit in 2021, the conflict between the two businesses has been going on for more than 15 years.

Adidas voiced their displeasure in 2007 when Thom Browne started adopting the three-stripe pattern on coats. With the addition of a fourth stripe, Browne decided to discontinue utilising it.

Since then, Thom Browne Inc. has swiftly grown and is currently available in more than 300 places globally. According to the BBC, it has recently started producing more athletic apparel.