The most interesting grudge match in professional soccer this season isn’t between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid, but rather the intellectual property lawyers representing Barcelona and footwear giant Adidas.
“Kit” sponsoring–sponsoring the uniforms of a team–is a highly competitive business dominated by
Nike and Adidas. For example, Adidas pays top-rated Manchester United €83.5 million a season for the privilege of providing uniforms emblazoned with its three-stripe logo.
Never one to shy away from defending its brand, Adidas opened a new front in its rivalry with Nike the day after Nike signed a deal for a kit design and sponsorship with FC Barcelona at a record-breaking €155 million a season. Adidas took umbrage with the new kit design, which features seven stripes; four blue and three red, in an alternating sequence with smaller, vertical stripes within each of the larger ones. Note: FC Barcelona’s jerseys have always featured some kind of stripe pattern since the inception of the club.
This clash of sportswear titans is currently unfolding at the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), Opposition No. 91230938. FC Barcelona’s 2016 jersey design having already attained a trademark, Adidas filed a notice of opposition with the USPTO. It contends that its emblematic three-stripe mark precedes Barcelona’s mark and therefore makes it invalid.
Indeed, Adidas has been using its three-stripe pattern in the United States and worldwide since 1952 for footwear and 1967 for apparel. Adidas claims it is trying to protect the goodwill it has worked to establish its brand since then, and if Barcelona’s Nike-sponsored design were to stand, Adidas’ goodwill would be diluted.
As mentioned earlier, Adidas is no stranger to the legal system when it comes to protecting its mark. Recently Adidas took action against fashion designer Marc Jacobs and clothing store Forever 21 for apparel that featured four stripes and three stripes, respectively, along the sleeves. That said, Adidas also has a history of working constructively with other designers, including its Yeezy line of sneakers made in conjunction with Kanye West.
This development is recent and the adjudication at the USPTO is ongoing. Stay tuned!
Why Compliance Monitoring Matters for NY and NJ Businesses
Compliance programs are no longer judged by how they look on paper, but by how they function in the real world. Compliance monitoring is the ongoing process of reviewing, testing, and evaluating whether policies, procedures, and controls are being followed—and whether they are actually working. What Is Compliance Monitoring? In today’s heightened regulatory environment, compliance […]
When Are New Jersey Business Owners Personally Liable for Corporate Debt?
New Jersey personal guaranty liability is a critical issue for business owners who regularly sign contracts on behalf of their companies. A recent New Jersey Supreme Court decision provides valuable guidance on when a business owner can be held personally responsible for a company’s debt. Under the Court’s decision in Extech Building Materials, Inc. v. […]
Commercial real estate trends in 2026 are being shaped by shifting economic conditions, technological innovation, and evolving tenant demands. As the market adjusts to changing interest rates, capital flows, and workplace models, investors, owners, tenants, and developers must understand how these trends are influencing opportunities and risk in the year ahead. Overall Outlook for Commercial […]
One Big Beautiful Bill: New Tip Income Tax Rules Employers & Workers Need to Know
Part 2 – Tips Excluded from Income Certain employees and independent contractors may be eligible to deduct tips from their income for tax years 2025 through 2028 under provisions included in the One Big Beautiful Bill. The deduction is capped at $25,000 per year and begins to phase out at $150,000 of modified adjusted gross […]
One Big Beautiful Bill: New Overtime Tax Rules Employers and Employees Need to Know
Part 1 – Overtime Pay and Income Tax Treatment Overview This Firm Insights post summarizes one provision of the “One Big Beautiful Bill” related to the tax treatment of overtime compensation and related employer wage reporting obligations. Overtime Pay and Employee Tax Treatment The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) generally requires that overtime be paid […]
New York’s FAIR Business Practices Act: What the New Consumer Protection Measure Means for Your Business
In 2025, New York enacted one of the most consequential updates to its consumer protection framework in decades. The Fostering Affordability and Integrity through Reasonable Business Practices Act (FAIR Act) significantly expands the scope and strength of New York’s long-standing consumer protection statute, General Business Law § 349, and alters the compliance landscape for New York […]
No Aspect of the advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court. Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.
Sign up to get the latest from our attorneys!
Explore What Matters Most to You.
Consider subscribing to our Firm Insights mailing list by clicking the button below so you can keep up to date with the firm`s latest articles covering various legal topics.
Stay informed and inspired with the latest updates, insights, and events from Scarinci Hollenbeck. Our resource library provides valuable content across a range of categories to keep you connected and ahead of the curve.
Let`s get in touch!
Sign up to get the latest from the Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC attorneys!
