The Brand With Four Stripes? Adidas Sues White Fox Over Design It Says Mimics Its Iconic Logo

Adidas Australia has launched legal proceedings against Sydney-based fast-fashion retailer White Fox Boutique, alleging that clothing featuring four parallel stripes infringes its trademark. Court filings show the case was lodged in the Federal Court of Australia in September 2026.

Adidas alleges White Fox began selling sweatpants, hoodies, lounge shorts and socks featuring the design in January 2026. It claims the stripes are substantially identical to, or deceptively similar to, its established three-stripe trademark, which it says has been protected in Australia for decades.

White Fox's response was not available at the time of writing. The allegations have not been tested in court.

Adidas Claims Clothing Could Mislead Customers

The sportswear company alleges that White Fox's designs could create the impression that Adidas made or approved the clothing. It also claims the retailer may have benefited from the reputation associated with its trademark.

Adidas cites promotional photographs that it says show models wearing the four-striped clothing alongside pink Adidas shoes. The company argues that the combination could reinforce an association between the products and its brand.

According to the filings, Adidas representatives contacted White Fox on 19 March 2026 and asked it to stop selling the disputed items. White Fox did not stop selling the disputed items after Adidas's request.

Between March and July, Adidas representatives purchased 12 items, including sweatpants and lounge shorts. The company submitted side-by-side comparisons of the products as evidence in the proceedings.

Adidas also documented White Fox's advertising on Sydney buses, bus shelters and billboards, collecting photographs between April and June 2026.

Lawsuit Alleges Website Images Were Altered

Adidas further alleges that images on White Fox's website were altered shortly after the proceedings began. According to the filings, one stripe was initially removed from the shoes shown in the images, leaving two. About a week later, all three stripes were removed.

Adidas cites the alleged changes as evidence that White Fox was aware of the association its promotional imagery could create. The claims remain allegations rather than findings by the court.

Adidas is asking the court to declare that White Fox infringed its registered trademarks. It also wants an injunction preventing the retailer from selling, promoting or advertising the disputed clothing.

The company is seeking the profits generated by the clothing line or damages, plus interest and legal costs. The outcome could depend on how the court assesses the stripes' placement, spacing and overall presentation, as well as whether consumers could be misled.

Previous Trademark Cases Have Produced Results

Adidas won a 2013 Federal Court case against Pacific Brands involving footwear with four stripes. The court found that some designs infringed its trademark while others did not, depending on the number, position, spacing and presentation of the stripes.

The company has held registered position marks in Australia since 1957 and 1973. However, its efforts to secure broad protection for the three-stripe design have faced setbacks overseas.

Adidas lost a 2023 US case against designer brand Thom Browne and lost some trademark rights in the UK following a 2025 appeal connected to that dispute. The General Court of the European Union has also rejected its attempt to obtain broad protection for three parallel stripes.