New Delhi: Sporting-wear manufacturing brand Adidas has lost a legal battle in court against popular designer Thom Browne for using 4-stripes in his designs which are closely associated with Adidas’ trademark three-stripes logo. Adidas accused the designer of copying the company’s popular trademark and demanded $867,225 in potential licensing fees.
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A jury in New York rejected the charge on Thursday. It’s a blow to the company as the jury allowed the New York-based luxury brand by designer Thom Browne to keep its four-striped product. Adidas sued Thom Browne for approximately $8 million in damages and profits, arguing that Thom Browne’s stripes “copycat” its own branding, citing its three-stripe trademark.
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A brief history of the Thom Browne luxury brand
Thom Browne is a New York-based luxury brand widely recognized for redefining modern tailoring. It was founded by designer Thom Browne in 2003 in New York City’s West Village. The company produces a wide range of products including ready-to-wear, footwear, accessories and a new fragrance. It is now a global brand with over 50 stores.
A Brief History of the Adidas Three-Stripe Trademark
The sporting company Adidas was founded on August 18, 1949, in Germany by Adi Dassler and was registered as ‘Adi Dassler adidas Sportschufabrik’. This was the same year that Adidas registered the 3-stripes shoe.
Soon the 3-stripes became the company’s global trademark.