Fashion Fall Outs - adidas and Thom Browne Butt Heads Over the 3-Stripe Trademark

Just this past Tuesday, things heated up further between footwear icon adidas and luxury fashion house Thom Browne as the two took to court in Manhattan. This event launched the start of legal proceedings in which adidas argues that Thom Browne has violated the brand's 3-Stripes trademark.

For those familiar with Thom Browne, it's a namesake label that was founded in 2003. Within the brand's offerings, consumers can find a distinctive emphasis on tailored and sportswear styles, with many additions including sets of four parallel stripes on display. Naturally, the use of these stripes has left adidas feeling as if they're being ripped off, leading the label to file a trademark infringement complaint back in June 2021.

adidas is seeking $867,225 in damages along with an additional $7,000,000 in profits, bringing the total to below just $8 million USD. adidas has acknowledged the difference in market between its foe, but with its high-fashion link-ups with the likes of Gucci and Balenciaga becoming more frequent, one could argue that the duo are sharing some of the same space. With the legal proceedings still in their early days, it might be some time before we see any kind of resolve, so make sure to keep it locked in right here at The Sole Supplier for all the latest. In other fashion news, signs of a Carhartt WIP x Marni collaboration emerge.