adidas is back with more “Three-Stripe” litigation, this time against Cougar Sport, a New York-based clothing company selling apparel with four stripes (2 light, 2 dark). adidas has a history of attempting to expand its “Three-Stripe” trademark rights beyond, well, just three stripes. Three can also mean 2 stripes and, if adidas has its way here, 4 stripes.

The Three-Stripe mark is so famous and distinctive, as adidas frequently reminds us in its Complaint, there must certainly be an argument made that consumers would immediately recognize that 2 and 4-stripe apparel are obviously NOT adidas products.

Earlier this year, fashion designer Marc Jacobs was set to test adidas’ rights to “four stripes,” but adidas voluntarily dismissed the lawsuit shortly after filing the Complaint. Perhaps Cougar Sport should hire Marc Jacobs’ attorneys…

adidas America Inc. et al v. Cougar Sport Inc.

Court Case Number: 3:15-cv-01856-SI
File Date: Wednesday, September 30, 2015
Plaintiff: adidas America Inc., adidas AG
Plaintiff Counsel: Stephen M. Feldman of Perkins Coie LLP
Defendant: Cougar Sport Inc.
Cause: Federal Trademark Infringement, Federal Unfair Competition, Unfair and Deceptive Trade Practices, Common Law Trademark Infringement and Unfair Competition, Federal Trademark Dilution
Court: District of Oregon
Judge: Judge Michael H. Simon

Complaint: