Adidas’ trademark three-stripe emblem will have its day in court against longtime industry rival Puma. The athletic brands’ latest drama stems from Adidas filing a complaint in an Oregon court alleging trademark infringement over one of Puma’s soccer cleats, according to Forbes.
The men’s shoe in question, Puma EvoPower Vigor Camo, features four stripes across the mid-upper, as opposed to Adidas’ signature three-stripes in the same location on the shoe.
“Puma’s use of four diagonal stripes on the side of the Infringing Cleat is a blatant attempt by Puma to trade on the goodwill and commercial magnetism adidas has built up in the Three-Stripe Mark and to free-ride on adidas’ fame as a preeminent soccer brand,” stated the complaint filed by Adidas.
Adi and Rudolph Dassler founded Adidas and Puma, making matters even more contentious. Both companies’ headquarters reside in the same town in Germany, showing how closely related the two brands remain despite more than 60 years of business.
The filing made by Adidas asks the court to stop Puma from selling, distributing and marketing the shoe, as well as requests monetary damages from Puma and that Puma give Adidas the profits from the style.