New Balance Sues Decathlon Over Trademark Infringement on Running Shoes
New Balance has filed a federal lawsuit against Decathlon for allegedly copying its iconic 'N' trademark on Kiprun running shoes, seeking a sales injunction and damages.
American footwear giant New Balance has filed a federal lawsuit against retail chain Decathlon, alleging trademark infringement and the copying of its iconic 'N' logo, which has appeared on its shoes since the 1970s. At the center of the dispute are Decathlon's Kiprun running shoes.
While Decathlon claims the design features the letter 'K', New Balance asserts in the complaint that it is actually an inverted 'K' that closely resembles an 'N', citing social media reactions where consumers noted the suspicious similarity. New Balance is seeking a court injunction to immediately halt the sale of these shoes in the United States, alongside financial damages.
This is not New Balance's first legal battle over its trademark. The company previously filed similar lawsuits against well-known brands such as Michael Kors, Nautica, and Karl Lagerfeld over similar designs, which ultimately ended in settlements. Additionally, the company secured a landmark victory in China, where a court awarded it 1.5 million dollars in damages against local manufacturers that copied the logo.
It is worth noting that New Balance is no stranger to legal disputes itself, having previously faced a class-action lawsuit in the United States over misleading advertising regarding toning shoes, resulting in a 2.3 million dollar settlement. The ongoing clash with Decathlon is shaping up to become one of the most talked-about legal cases in the footwear industry.
