Adidas Launches Lawsuit Against Fashion Brand over ‘Copycat’ Clothing Designs
Adidas says White Fox copied its trademarked stripe pattern and seeks damages, profits and an order stopping further sales.
- Adidas sued Sydney-based retailer White Fox Boutique in September, alleging the company's four-stripe clothing designs are "deceptively similar" to its trademarked logo in a Federal Court trademark infringement case.
- Adidas, which has trademarked its three-stripe design in Australia since 1957, claims White Fox is "taking advantage" of its reputation after the retailer refused requests to stop selling the disputed apparel since March.
- Adidas barrister Patrick Flynn argued the label is "trading off our reputation," pointing to promotional images where stripes were digitally removed from genuine Adidas footwear to associate products with the global brand.
- During Friday's first case-management hearing before Justice Ian Jackman, White Fox barrister Ed Heerey KC argued the four stripes are merely decorative, contending the designs do not constitute a trademark.
- Justice Ian Jackman set the dispute for a hearing in early 2027, as the case follows Adidas's mixed results in recent international trademark disputes against luxury brand Thom Browne in the United States, United Kingdom, and Germany.
35 Articles
35 Articles
Adidas launches lawsuit against fashion brand over ‘copycat’ clothing designs
Sportswear giant Adidas is suing Australian fashion brand White Fox over clothing featuring four stripes, claiming the designs are ‘deceptively similar’ to its iconic logo. The German company alleges that White Fox has continued to advertise and sell the items despite repeated requests to stop, which it says began in March. White Fox, a fast-fashion […]
The Independent
The Independent (US)Adidas sues Australian label White Fox over ‘deceptively similar’ four stripes design
Adidas alleges White Fox has ‘intention to trade off our reputation’
The one-stripe difference is being addressed in the Australian Federal Court. Europe's largest sportswear manufacturer Adidas is suing fashion brand White Fox, which sells clothing with four parallel stripes. According to Adidas, they are too similar to its iconic three stripes and may give customers the impression that the two brands are related.
Adidas is also seeking damages and the return of profits from the products.
The German giant is demanding that Australian firm White Fox stop selling and advertising the clothing and pay compensation.
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