Can ADIDAS stop other brands from registering // Stripes — Japan said “No”

adidas’ 3-stripe mark {below logo}

Marubeni’s 2-stripe mark {top logo}

Can ADIDAS stop other brands from registering // Stripes — Japan said “No”

What’s the ISSUE:

This battle of the Stripes // has been ongoing since April 2018 — until August 2019 the national intellectual property division of the Japan Patent Office {JPO} slammed the attempt made by Adidas to disprove Marubeni Footwear’s 2—stripe // diagonal registration.

Who’s misbehaving:

Adidas have they lost their minds by stripping brands of their stripes?

or

Marubeni Footwear

is the Tokyo footwear brand taking liberties or being clever m? by the use of 2–stripes // to form their logo embellished across all their products.

The Law {in Japan}:

Adidas cannot prevent others from registering 2-stripe trademarks or anymore than their infamous 3 stripes —> well not in Japan anyway !!

Verdict:

Siding with Marubeni on August 30, the JPO’s Opposition Board determined that while there is a “high degree of reputation and popularity” associated with the German Brand Adidas’ 3-stripe trademarks in connection with footwear and sportswear, an average consumer is not likely to mistake two stripes for three stripes in purchasing shoes. 

JPO’s Board was unpersuaded, deciding that the Marubeni’s mark does, in fact, only consist of two stripes and the space in-between is not relevant. The Opposition Board dismissed Adidas’ invalidation proceedings and held that Marubeni’s registration shall remain valid.  

Well the Japanese are not having any of the ‘stripe control’ do you agree ?? Put your comments on the ta{y}ble and let me feel what your feelings are.. Show me your STRIPES

Tay