More stripe trade mark trouble for Adidas

Sportswear brands are amongst those who have really got to grips with their brand protection. Many of the best protected businesses with registered trade marks are some of the world’s leading sports brands.

With such well established brands, sportwear companies seem to constantly have trade mark trouble.

Adidas is no exception.

Yet again they have had to oppose a trade mark application which they state is infringing their widely recognised three stripe mark.

The business on the receiving end of the opposition, is FanBase Sports Pro, a sportswear manufacturer.

The mark in which FanBase is trying to register includes three stripes and the application was made in relation to US class 25 which includes athletic apparel.

Adidas has argued that the inclusion of three stripes will lead to confusion, as the public recognises and understand the three-stripe design to originate from Adidas.

It is also their belief that this confusion will lead to a mistaken or deceptive connection with Adidas.

The opposition ask the US Patent and Trade Mark Office, who the application has been made to, to refuse the application.

If you are looking to protect your brand in the US, our specialist in-house US trade mark attorney can guide through the whole process, get in touch.

By Ellis Sweetenham