New York, Adidas has lost a court case to try to stop a fashion designer from using a four-stripe design, the media reported.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The sportswear giant argued that luxury brand Thom Browne Inc's four stripes were too similar to its three stripes, the BBC reported.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Browne argued that shoppers were unlikely to confuse the two brands as -- among other reasons -- his had a different number of stripes.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Adidas had planned to ask for more than $7.8 million in damages -- but a jury in New York sided with Browne.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Browne's designs often feature four horizontal, parallel stripes, encircling the arm of a garment or -- as frequently seen on the creator himself -- a sock, BBC reported.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Adidas' designs often see three stripes.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Browne's legal team portrayed him as the underdog taking on a huge corporation, and argued the two brands served different customers.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Sportswear does not dominate Thom Browne Inc's creations and its output is aimed at wealthy customers - for example, a pair of women's compression leggings cost 680 pounds, while a polo shirt goes for 270 pounds.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Browne's lawyers also argued that stripes are a common design, the BBC reported.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
While Adidas launched legal action in 2021, the battle between the two companies dates back more than 15 years.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
In 2007, Adidas complained that Thom Browne was using a three-stripe design on jackets. Browne agreed to stop using it and added a fourth stripe.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Since then Thom Browne Inc has expanded rapidly and is now sold in more than 300 locations worldwide, and in recent years has been creating more athletics wear, BBC reported.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
In 2007, Adidas complained that Thom Browne was using a three-stripe design on jackets. Browne agreed to stop using it and added a fourth stripe.<\/p>\r\n\r\n