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New Balance Says Competitor’s ‘K’ Looks a Lot Like Its Iconic ‘N’
The sneaker maker says Decathlon’s mirrored K logo could confuse buyers and seeks an order blocking the design, plus damages and a jury trial.
- On Tuesday, Boston-based New Balance sued Decathlon America LLC in U.S. District Court in Massachusetts, alleging that the logo on the France-based Decathlon's KIPRUN running shoes infringes on its signature mark.
- New Balance has featured an 'N' on its footwear for about 50 years, becoming a brand hallmark; in April, Decathlon began selling KIPRUN footwear in the U.S. market, prompting the lawsuit.
- The complaint cites social media confusion between Decathlon's KIPRUN Kipstorm and New Balance's Elite shoes; New Balance claims the mirrored 'K' is 'unmistakably an N,' while Decathlon argues the design is clearly a 'K.'
- Seeking to block the alleged infringement, New Balance requested a jury trial and damages; spokespeople for the companies did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Wednesday.
- As New Balance reported more than $8 billion in revenue last year, the legal conflict occurs despite an existing business relationship where Decathlon sells New Balance sporting goods.
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12 Articles
12 Articles
In the complaint filed this Thursday in the Federal Court of Massachusetts (USA), New Balance, based in Boston, accuses the French company Decathlon of having committed a violation of its rights and dilution of the brand, which occurs when a famous brand loses its distinctive character.
·Lisboa, Portugal
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The US company claims that the Kiprun model's inverted K resembles its N characteristic.
The sports shoe show explains that the ‘K’ inverted from the French firm’s running shoes resembles its famous ‘N’ and confuses consumers
·Madrid, Spain
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources12
Leaning Left1Leaning Right3Center2Last UpdatedBias Distribution50% Right
Bias Distribution
- 50% of the sources lean Right
50% Right
L 17%
C 33%
R 50%
Factuality
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