Adidas sues White Fox over four-stripe clothing design

Adidas has filed a lawsuit against the Australian online fashion retailer White Fox Boutique in the Federal Court of Australia. The German sportswear giant alleges that White Fox’s use of a four-stripe design on clothing is ‘deceptively similar’ to Adidas’s iconic three-stripe trademark, which has been registered in Australia since 1957.

During a hearing in Sydney, Adidas legal counsel argued that White Fox has been using the four-stripe pattern for months and has ignored repeated requests to cease sales. The lawsuit also highlights promotional materials where White Fox apparel is styled alongside genuine Adidas footwear, suggesting an attempt to ‘trade off’ the established brand’s reputation and create consumer confusion.

White Fox Boutique, a brand popular among teenagers and young adults in Australia, the UK, and the US, denies the allegations. Defense lawyers argued that the four stripes serve a purely decorative purpose and noted that other fast-fashion retailers, such as Shein and Glassons, also utilize similar striped designs. A trial is expected to take place in early 2027.