Adidas Loses Landmark Lawsuit Against Thom Browne Over Its Iconic Stripes

Over a week after Adidas and Thom Browne headed to court in a battle over the use of stripes, the jury has ruled that the latter can continue the use of the motif, having not been found liable for damages or profits made from the sales of its luxury products. 

The complaint initially asked for the high-fashion label to cough up US$8 million in compensation for allegedly infringing on Adidas’ famed three-stripe trademark, claiming that the brand’s four-stripe design was too similar, and could mislead consumers. 

Calling the brand a “pioneering force in luxury fashion,” a spokesperson for Thom Browne, as quoted by Vogue Business, said that the company is looking forward to continuing to design and offer customers the products that “have become the hallmark” of the label. 

One of the key issues Adidas brought up during the trial was the firm’s planned expansion into the sportswear space. It felt Thom Browne’s use of stripes would confuse the general public between the two brands. 

However, it seems like the underdog won this time, with the sportswear giant’s influence not impacting the outcome in the case. A spokesperson told Footwear News it was “disappointed with the verdict” but will not stop at “vigilantly” enforcing its trademark rights. 

[via Vogue Business and Forbes, cover image via Thom Browne]