Adidas backs off from preventing Black Lives Matter from using 3 stripes – 03/29/2023 – Market

German sportswear maker Adidas has dropped a challenge to the US Patent and Trademark Office for a Black Lives Matter logo that uses three parallel stripes.

“Adidas will withdraw its opposition to the Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation’s trademark application as soon as possible,” the company said.

A person linked to Adidas told the Reuters news agency that the rapid turnaround was triggered by fears that people could interpret the action against the trademark registration as a criticism of the mission of Black Lives Matter, which fights racism.

This Monday, the company had justified its request to block the registration with the argument that the use of three parallel stripes would create confusion with its own brand. Adidas tried to stop Black Lives Matter from using the logo on products the German sportswear maker also sells, such as T-shirts, hats and bags.

In the request sent to the US trademark office, Adidas recalled that it has used the three stripes since 1952 and said that the Black Lives Matter design could cause confusion, leading consumers to think that the products are connected or have the same origin.

antisemitism

Adidas is facing financial difficulties after ending a lucrative partnership with rapper Kanye West due to anti-Semitic comments made by him on social media and in interviews.

The sportswear maker also ended a collaboration with singer Beyoncé, according to media reports. Adidas’ contract with the pop star is set to expire at the end of 2023.

The Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation is the most prominent entity in the decentralized Black Lives Matter movement, which emerged a decade ago in protest against police violence against black people.

The group applied for a US trademark in November 2020 for a design featuring three yellow stripes for use on a variety of products, including clothing, publications, bags, bracelets and mugs.