German Sportswear Giant Withdraws Opposition to BLM’s Use of Three Stripes

Adidas has decided to withdraw its opposition to a trademark application filed by the Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation, which features three parallel yellow stripes. This decision comes just two days after the company initially contested the application with the U.S. Trademark Office.

The German sportswear brand had filed a notice of opposition on Monday, arguing that the use of the three-stripe design by Black Lives Matter on items like clothing and bags could cause confusion with Adidas’s long-standing trademark of the same design, which has been a signature feature of its products since at least 1952.

However, by Wednesday, Adidas reversed its stance. A company statement confirmed that it would soon withdraw its opposition to the BLM trademark application, but no further reasons for the change of heart were provided.

Adidas has long been protective of its iconic triple-stripe logo. Earlier this year, the company lost a legal battle with fashion designer Thom Browne, who was granted the right to use stripes similar to Adidas’s. In that case, a Manhattan jury sided with Browne, rejecting Adidas’s claim of trademark infringement.