Adidas Moves to Challenge Potential Trademark Resemblances: NOBODYSKING and Eminent Crowns Under Scrutiny
Oct/25/2024
Adidas, a titan in the sports apparel industry, has taken steps to protect its brand identity, filing a request on October 24 for an extension of time to oppose two trademarks: NOBODYSKING. LC and Eminent Crowns LLC. The applications in question feature logos that Adidas argues bear striking similarities to its own well-established emblem. With a global workforce of approximately 59,000 and net sales reaching around €21.4 billion in 2023, the company is determined to maintain its brand’s distinctive image against perceived encroachments. The trademark application by NOBODYSKING. LC covers a wide range of clothing items, from hats to swimwear, showcasing an extensive product line that could easily confuse consumers. The second entity, Eminent Crowns LLC, has also sought to register a trademark encompassing various clothing categories such as tops, bottoms, and headwear. Both cases reveal the potential for market dilution and the necessity for Adidas to safeguard its reputation. Visual comparisons reveal alarming similarities, highlighting the ongoing challenges brands face in distinguishing themselves in a crowded marketplace.
Adidas’s vigilance in protecting its trademarks is crucial, especially in a landscape increasingly filled with competing brands. The filing against NOBODYSKING. LC reflects a broader strategy to ensure that its iconic logo remains synonymous with quality and authenticity. The broad spectrum of clothing categories covered in the application signals a significant risk of consumer confusion, a factor that courts consider seriously when adjudicating trademark disputes. By seeking to extend the opposition period, Adidas signals its readiness to engage in a protracted legal battle, underscoring the importance of brand integrity in an era where counterfeit goods and brand imitation are rampant.
In parallel, Eminent Crowns LLC’s trademark application raises similar concerns. As the athletic and lifestyle markets continue to converge, the delineation between brands becomes increasingly tenuous. The broad scope of their proposed trademark, which includes essential clothing items, poses a direct challenge to Adidas’s market position. The company’s historical performance—producing approximately 330 million sportswear units and 310 million pairs of shoes in 2023—highlights its substantial presence. With North America and Greater China accounting for around 40% of its retail sales, protecting its brand from dilution in these vital markets is not just strategic; it is essential for maintaining consumer trust and loyalty.
