Adidas alleges White Fox Boutique infringed its three-stripe trademark
Experts say the matter could test the validity of Adidas's trademark in Australia.
German sportswear company Adidas has sued Australian fashion retailer White Fox Boutique for allegedly violating its trademarked three-stripe design. The dispute centers around White Fox's use of garments featuring four parallel stripes, which Adidas claims is "deceptively similar" to its iconic three-stripe logo. The trademark has been in use in Australia for over 65 years and globally for more than 75 years.
White Fox has defended the case, arguing that the four-stripe design is merely decorative and not a violation of Adidas' trademark. The matter is scheduled for hearing in early 2027. White Fox claims it only used genuine Adidas shoes in promotional material, which Adidas alleges took advantage of Adidas' brand reputation and may lead consumers to associate the two companies.
Adidas first accused White Fox of the infringement in March, and the retailer declined to remove the items or cease using the design. Intellectual property law experts suggest that the case is not just about adding an extra stripe, but about the distinctiveness of the trademark and whether it can be infringed upon by similar designs.
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