Adidas, one of the largest manufacturers of sportswear, has apparently filed a lawsuit against ELEAGUE, one of the most well-respected professional esports organizers in the world, for allegedly stealing its three-stripped logo.
The notice of opposition was filed last week and highlights “the brand with the 3 stripes” that Adidas has been using for decades. It further claims that the Turner Broadcasting System (TBS) breached copyrights by promoting ELEAGUE that can create confusion by featuring the same trademark. Interestingly, the lawsuit also makes sure to point out that it is a core sponsor for the FIFA Interactive World Cup.
https://twitter.com/RisenLazarus/status/920035700560580608
Several prominent individuals from the esports community have exclaimed disbelief over the lawsuit. According to Bryce Blum, an esports lawyer, the whole thing is a “complete joke.”
This is not the first time that Adidas has gone after another company for allegedly using black bars as a logo. It is known for its aggressive stance on the matter, which has incidentally resulted in success several times in the past.
This is also not the first time that a non-endemic organization has sued an endemic esports organization over a trademark dispute. In July, Major League Baseball (MLB) clashed with Blizzard over its logo for the Overwatch League.
At this point, it seems unlikely that the court will side with Adidas and force ELEAGUE to change its logo and possibly compensate for damages.
