Adidas Sues Over Logo Restrictions
In a dispute that has spanned almost a year, Adidas has sued Wimbledon over the size and format of its logo. Wimbledon is the first Grand Slam event to be affected, but it is not alone. The French, U.S. and Australian Opens are also being sued.
The Grand Slam Committee ruled last May that Adidas’ three stripes were a “manufacturers’ identification” and not a “design effect.” Adidas was told its logos must be no larger than 4-square inches.
The rule goes into effect on June 26, the first day of play at Wimbledon.
The German sporting goods manufacturer said Tuesday the rule was issued “one-sidedly, without respecting the industry’s needs and without considering concerns raised in advance.”
The company said the rule “discriminates against Adidas and infringes elementary EU competition rights.”
Adidas contended the three stripes running down shirt sleeves or shorts are not a standard logo. It said the official logo is the “performance logo” depicting three stripes arranged in a pyramid with Adidas written underneath.
But Ian Ritchie, the All England Club chief executive plans to defend the Grand Slam Committee’s stance that the players not become “advertising billboards.”
Hopefully, the matter will resolve itself soon and Adidas will take what it can get.
Ritchie said the Grand Slam committee had increased the size for logos from 2-square inches to 4, and given Adidas 13 months to comply with the new rule. He said Adidas’ reaction was “heavy-handed.”
“We think that’s a perfectly reasonable compromise and they should comply with that,” Ritchie said. “As far as I’m aware, the other manufacturers have said they are happy with the situation. We need to be equal to everybody.”
(source)
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1 opinion for Adidas Sues Over Logo Restrictions
Razib Ahmed
Apr 28, 2006 at 7:39 pm
I am sports fan but here my sympathy goes for Adidas. Well these days, often people criticize the sponsors for their promotional activities but that is the sole reason a company gets involved with sponsorship. No sponsorship means no game to enjoy.
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