Latest news with #Janos
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Steve Madden Claims ‘Adidas Does Not Own All Stripes' in New Lawsuit
Steve Madden is suing Adidas in an effort to stop the German athletic company from its alleged efforts to 'monopolize common design features in the fashion industry.' According to a lawsuit filed on Wednesday in federal court in Brooklyn, N.Y., Steve Madden is seeking a non-infringement and no unfair competition declaratory judgment because the company is 'tired of being targeted' by Adidas for footwear design elements that 'bear no resemblance' to Adidas' Three-Stripe mark. More from WWD Adidas Is No Longer Sourcing Kangaroo Skins for Its Athletic Shoes We Called It: The adidas Taekwondo Is Fashion's Next Big Sneaker Adidas Is Mashing Up Its Taekwondo Sneaker With a 2000s Soccer Cleat 'No consumer is likely to believe that the footwear including these designs is manufactured by, or otherwise associated with or approved by, Adidas,' Steve Madden wrote in the complaint. In the lawsuit, Steve Madden noted that over the years, Adidas has allegedly 'aggressively enforced' its trademark registrations against Steve Madden and others, who it believes infringes its purported Three-Stripe mark. 'Adidas' assertive enforcement measures often include suing and threatening suit against manufacturers and retailers of footwear and apparel who use any number of stripes or bands in any manner that Adidas contends is likely to cause confusion with Adidas' purported Three-Stripe,' the complaint said. Steve Madden further noted that it has 'fallen victim' to Adidas' threats for decades on more than one occasion. 'Since as early as 2002, Adidas has commenced a pattern of complaining that Steve Madden's footwear allegedly infringes its Three-Stripe mark,' the complaint stated. 'Specifically, in 2002 Adidas brought two lawsuits against Steve Madden alleging that footwear with four-parallel stripes and two-parallel stripes infringed its Three-Stripe mark. These lawsuits were consolidated and subsequently settled as set forth in a 2003 settlement agreement between the parties.' After the 2003 settlement agreement, Steve Madden alleged that Adidas 'continued to complain' about its footwear over the ensuing decades. This includes new objections to two Steve Madden sneakers launched this year: the Viento, which has two non-parallel stripe bands, and the Janos, which has two stripe bands that resemble the letter 'K.' Steve Madden said Adidas' lawyers have demanded that Viento sales be halted because the design would likely confuse consumers. 'Simply put, Adidas does not own all stripes and should not be allowed to claim that it has a monopoly on all footwear that includes stripes, bars, bands or any shape having four sides—parallel, straight or not,' Steve Madden claimed. FN has reached out to Steve Madden for comment. A representative for Adidas told FN that the company 'does not comment on pending legal matters.' This new challenge to Adidas' enforcement of its Three-Stripe mark comes after the company's lengthy court battle with Thom Browne on its own use of stripes. In November, Thom Browne won its latest round of the multinational legal dispute with Adidas over striped trademarks. At the time, the High Court of England and Wales, located in London, dismissed Adidas' claims of trademark infringement. In July, Adidas sought to remove Thom Browne's range of products comprising its signature four-bar motif from the U.K. market, contending it would confuse consumers. Judge Joanna Smith said, 'The average, reasonably observant, consumer paying a moderate degree of attention will generally perceive the difference between three stripes and four.' The London ruling came at a time when Adidas has suffered multiple setbacks in Europe and the U.S. in its legal actions against Browne. Last May, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit said it would not overturn the jury verdict reached in January 2023 that found Browne's use of four stripes and its grosgrain ribbon did not infringe upon Adidas' three-stripe trademark. Best of WWD All the Retailers That Nike Left and Then Went Back Mikey Madison's Elegant Red Carpet Shoe Style [PHOTOS] Julia Fox's Sleekest and Boldest Shoe Looks Over the Years [Photos] Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
USA Today
23-05-2025
- Business
- USA Today
Steve Madden challenges Adidas' trademark on stripes in new lawsuit
Steve Madden challenges Adidas' trademark on stripes in new lawsuit Show Caption Hide Caption Steven Madden to buy UK-based luxury shoe brand Kurt Geiger The world of fashion footwear has a new pair, as shoe designer Steven Madden said it would buy UK-based luxury brand Kurt Geiger. The all-cash deal, valued at $360 million, expands Steve Madden's presence in international markets. Adidas known for shoes with three parallel stripes, was sued on Wednesday by Steven Madden SHOO.O over its alleged effort to stop the American shoe company from selling fashion sneakers with two non-parallel bands. In a complaint filed in federal court in Brooklyn, New York, Steve Madden, as the company is often known, said it has grown "tired" of Adidas' decades of complaints about footwear whose designs bear no resemblance to its three-stripe design. These allegedly include objections to two Steve Madden sneakers launched this year: Viento, which has two bands, and Janos, whose two bands resemble the letter K. Steve Madden said Adidas' lawyers have demanded that Viento sales be halted because the design would likely confuse consumers, and signaled to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office it may formally challenge the Janos design. "The use of band designs on footwear is ubiquitous in the fashion industry," Steve Madden said. "Simply put, Adidas does not own all stripes and should not be allowed to claim that it has a monopoly on all footwear that includes stripes, bars, bands or any shape having four sides — parallel, straight or not." More footwear news: Nike is releasing dirty Air Force 1s, social media is perplexed Adidas did not immediately respond to requests for comment outside business hours. Like some shoe companies including Nike NKE.N, Adidas sometimes turns to U.S. courts and agencies to stop rivals from selling products it considers knockoffs. Steve Madden, based in Long Island City, New York, said Adidas sued it twice in 2002 to challenge footwear with two parallel stripes and four parallel stripes, leading to a confidential settlement the next year. The latest dispute does not arise from that accord. Wednesday's lawsuit seeks a judgment that the Viento and Janos designs do not infringe Adidas' trademarks or three-stripe design, allowing Steve Madden to continue sales. The case is Steven Madden Ltd v Adidas AG et al, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York, No. 25-02847. Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; Editing by Leslie Adler
Fashion Network
22-05-2025
- Business
- Fashion Network
Steve Madden sues Adidas to thwart challenges to shoe designs
On Wednesday, Steven Madden sued Adidas, known for shoes with three parallel stripes, over its alleged effort to stop the American shoe company from selling fashion sneakers with two non-parallel bands. In a complaint filed in federal court in Brooklyn, New York, Steve Madden, as the company is often known, said it has grown "tired" of Adidas' decades of complaints about footwear whose designs bear no resemblance to its three-stripe design. These allegedly include objections to two Steve Madden sneakers launched this year: Viento, which has two bands, and Janos, whose two bands resemble the letter K. Steve Madden said Adidas' lawyers have demanded that Viento sales be halted because the design would likely confuse consumers, and signaled to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office it may formally challenge the Janos design. "The use of band designs on footwear is ubiquitous in the fashion industry," Steve Madden said. "Simply put, Adidas does not own all stripes and should not be allowed to claim that it has a monopoly on all footwear that includes stripes, bars, bands or any shape having four sides—parallel, straight or not." Adidas did not immediately respond to requests for comment outside business hours. Like some shoe companies including Nike, Adidas sometimes turns to U.S. courts and agencies to stop rivals from selling products it considers knockoffs. Steve Madden, based in Long Island City, New York, said Adidas sued it twice in 2002 to challenge footwear with two and four parallel stripes, leading to a confidential settlement the following year. The latest dispute does not arise from that accord. Wednesday's lawsuit seeks a judgment that the Viento and Janos designs do not infringe Adidas' trademarks or three-stripe design, allowing Steve Madden to continue sales. The case is Steven Madden Ltd v Adidas AG et al, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York, No. 25-02847.
Business of Fashion
22-05-2025
- Business
- Business of Fashion
Steve Madden Sues Adidas to Thwart Challenges to Shoe Designs
Adidas, known for shoes with three parallel stripes, was sued on Wednesday by Steven Madden over its alleged effort to stop the American shoe company from selling fashion sneakers with two non-parallel bands. In a complaint filed in federal court in Brooklyn, New York, Steve Madden, as the company is often known, said it has grown 'tired' of Adidas' decades of complaints about footwear whose designs bear no resemblance to its three-stripe design. These allegedly include objections to two Steve Madden sneakers launched this year: Viento, which has two bands, and Janos, whose two bands resemble the letter K. Steve Madden said Adidas' lawyers have demanded that Viento sales be halted because the design would likely confuse consumers, and signalled to the US Patent and Trademark Office it may formally challenge the Janos design. 'The use of band designs on footwear is ubiquitous in the fashion industry,' Steve Madden said. 'Simply put, Adidas does not own all stripes and should not be allowed to claim that it has a monopoly on all footwear that includes stripes, bars, bands or any shape having four sides—parallel, straight or not.' Adidas did not immediately respond to requests for comment outside business hours. Like some shoe companies including Nike, Adidas sometimes turns to US courts and agencies to stop rivals from selling products it considers knockoffs. Steve Madden, based in Long Island City, New York, said Adidas sued it twice in 2002 to challenge footwear with two parallel stripes and four parallel stripes, leading to a confidential settlement the next year. The latest dispute does not arise from that accord. Wednesday's lawsuit seeks a judgment that the Viento and Janos designs do not infringe Adidas' trademarks or three-stripe design, allowing Steve Madden to continue sales. The case is Steven Madden Ltd v Adidas AG et al, US District Court, Eastern District of New York, No. 25-02847. By Jonathan Stempel; Editor: Leslie Adler Learn more: Change Is Coming to the Sneaker Retail Landscape Dick's Sporting Goods' acquisition of Foot Locker will have impacts on the rest of the industry, from brands such as Nike and Adidas to rival retailers like JD Sports.
Fashion Network
22-05-2025
- Business
- Fashion Network
Steve Madden sues Adidas to thwart challenges to shoe designs
Steven Madden filed a lawsuit against Adidas on Wednesday, accusing the German sportswear giant—known for its iconic three-stripe design—of attempting to block the sale of Madden's fashion sneakers featuring two nonparallel bands. In a complaint filed in federal court in Brooklyn, New York, Steve Madden, as the company is often known, said it has grown "tired" of Adidas' decades of complaints about footwear whose designs bear no resemblance to its three-stripe design. These allegedly include objections to two Steve Madden sneakers launched this year: Viento, which has two bands, and Janos, whose two bands resemble the letter K. Steve Madden said Adidas' lawyers have demanded that Viento sales be halted because the design would likely confuse consumers, and signalled to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office it may formally challenge the Janos design. "The use of band designs on footwear is ubiquitous in the fashion industry," Steve Madden said. "Simply put, Adidas does not own all stripes and should not be allowed to claim that it has a monopoly on all footwear that includes stripes, bars, bands or any shape having four sides—parallel, straight or not." Adidas did not immediately respond to requests for comment outside business hours. Like some shoe companies including Nike, Adidas sometimes turns to U.S. courts and agencies to stop rivals from selling products it considers knockoffs. Steve Madden, based in Long Island City, New York, said Adidas sued it twice in 2002 to challenge footwear with two and four parallel stripes, leading to a confidential settlement the following year. The latest dispute does not arise from that accord. Wednesday's lawsuit seeks a judgment that the Viento and Janos designs do not infringe Adidas' trademarks or three-stripe design, allowing Steve Madden to continue sales. The case is Steven Madden Ltd v Adidas AG et al, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York, No. 25-02847.
