Adidas AG filed a lawsuit against Big 5, charging the West-coast sporting goods chain with selling sneakers with three parallel diagonal stripes similar to its iconic look. In its complaint filed with the U.S. District Court in Portland, OR, Adidaas said the shoes were produced by World Industries Inc and sold at Big 5.
Adidas first used the three-stripe motif in 1952 and began trademarking it in the U.S. in 1994, according to court papers. The stripes on World Industries' sneakers resemble those on Adidas' sneakers, although the tips are shaped like arrows.
“World Industries' merchandise is likely to cause consumer confusion, deceive the public regarding its source, and dilute and tarnish the distinctive quality of Adidas' Three-Stripe Mark,” Adidas said.
Adidas is looking to stop stop the sale of infringing sneakers, the destruction of the sneakers, and money damages.
