Steve Madden Challenges Adidas Over Stripe Trademark in Court
Steve Madden is taking Adidas to court in a high-stakes trademark dispute over the use of stripe designs on footwear.
Steve Madden is taking Adidas to court in a high-stakes trademark dispute over the use of stripe designs on footwear.
Steve Madden, the iconic American footwear brand, is making headlines with its latest legal battle against global sportswear giant Adidas. Filed in Brooklyn, New York, the lawsuit challenges Adidas’ attempts to stop Steve Madden from selling its Viento and Janos sneakers, both featuring distinctive band designs.
The Core of the Conflict: Who Owns the Stripe?
Steve Madden is pushing back against what it sees as aggressive legal tactics from Adidas over the use of band and stripe patterns in footwear. In a statement from the company’s legal team, Steve Madden asserts:
“The use of band designs on footwear is ubiquitous in the fashion industry,” said a spokesperson for Steve Madden. “In simple terms, Adidas does not possess exclusive rights to all stripes and should not be permitted to assert that it holds a monopoly over any footwear featuring stripes, bars, bands, or any quadrilateral shapes—whether they are parallel or not.”
At the heart of the lawsuit is a request for the court to declare that Steve Madden’s Viento and Janos designs do not infringe on Adidas’ famous three-stripe trademark. The Viento is defined by two bands, while the Janos features bands shaped like the letter K.
Adidas’ Legal Moves and Steve Madden’s Defense
Adidas has called for a halt to sales of the Viento, arguing the design could mislead consumers. The company has also signaled to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) its intent to challenge the Janos design.
Steve Madden’s attorneys have responded forcefully. “We are tired of being targeted by Adidas,” said a Steve Madden legal representative. “Our footwear bears no resemblance to Adidas’ trademarked three-stripe design, and no reasonable consumer would confuse the two.”
The complaint also references previous legal disputes with Adidas in 2002, which were resolved confidentially and are not related to the current case.
The Wider Impact on Fashion and Footwear
This lawsuit is just the latest in a long line of legal battles over Adidas’ three-stripe trademark. The brand has previously taken action against other industry leaders like H&M, Thom Browne, K-Swiss, Fitnessworld, Nike, Isabel Marant, and Sand.
The outcome of this case could have far-reaching implications for intellectual property in fashion, shaping how brands approach design elements such as stripes and bands in the future.
