Who Owns the Stripes? Adidas and Steve Madden Face Off in Court

Hilary Sumner
Sep 24, 2025
1 min read

Steve Madden and Adidas are facing off in a Brooklyn federal court over a design dispute that cuts to the core of fashion branding. Adidas argues that Madden’s new “Viento” and “Janos” sneakers infringe on its iconic three-stripe trademark, while Madden counters that stripes are a universal design element no one company should monopolize. The case highlights the tension between protecting brand identity and allowing creative freedom in the competitive sneaker industry. CLICK HERE FOR FULL ARTICLE

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