Finance
Steve Madden sues Adidas to thwart challenges to shoe designs
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on May 22, 2025
2 min readLast updated: January 23, 2026
Quick Summary
Steve Madden sues Adidas over shoe design disputes, challenging claims on sneaker bands. The case seeks to allow continued sales of Madden's Viento and Janos designs.
Steve Madden Files Lawsuit Against Adidas Over Shoe Design Dispute
By Jonathan Stempel
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Adidas, known for shoes with three parallel stripes, was sued on Wednesday by Steven Madden over its alleged effort to stop the American shoe company from selling fashion sneakers with two non-parallel bands.
In a complaint filed in federal court in Brooklyn, New York, Steve Madden, as the company is often known, said it has grown "tired" of Adidas' decades of complaints about footwear whose designs bear no resemblance to its three-stripe design.
These allegedly include objections to two Steve Madden sneakers launched this year: Viento, which has two bands, and Janos, whose two bands resemble the letter K.
Steve Madden said Adidas' lawyers have demanded that Viento sales be halted because the design would likely confuse consumers, and signaled to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office it may formally challenge the Janos design.
"The use of band designs on footwear is ubiquitous in the fashion industry," Steve Madden said. "Simply put, Adidas does not own all stripes and should not be allowed to claim that it has a monopoly on all footwear that includes stripes, bars, bands or any shape having four sides—parallel, straight or not."
Adidas did not immediately respond to requests for comment outside business hours.
Like some shoe companies including Nike, Adidas sometimes turns to U.S. courts and agencies to stop rivals from selling products it considers knockoffs.
Steve Madden, based in Long Island City, New York, said Adidas sued it twice in 2002 to challenge footwear with two parallel stripes and four parallel stripes, leading to a confidential settlement the next year.
The latest dispute does not arise from that accord.
Wednesday's lawsuit seeks a judgment that the Viento and Janos designs do not infringe Adidas' trademarks or three-stripe design, allowing Steve Madden to continue sales.
The case is Steven Madden Ltd v Adidas AG et al, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York, No. 25-02847.
(Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; Editing by Leslie Adler)
Key Takeaways
- •Steve Madden has filed a lawsuit against Adidas over shoe design disputes.
- •The lawsuit involves Steve Madden's Viento and Janos sneaker designs.
- •Adidas claims these designs may confuse consumers with its trademark.
- •Steve Madden argues Adidas cannot monopolize all stripe designs.
- •The case is filed in the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York.
Frequently Asked Questions about Steve Madden sues Adidas to thwart challenges to shoe designs
1What is the reason behind Steve Madden's lawsuit against Adidas?
Steve Madden is suing Adidas to prevent the company from stopping its sales of sneakers that Adidas claims infringe on its trademarked designs.
2What specific sneaker designs are involved in the lawsuit?
The lawsuit involves two sneaker designs launched by Steve Madden this year: the Viento and Janos, which feature band designs similar to those of Adidas.
3What does Steve Madden argue regarding the use of band designs?
Steve Madden argues that the use of band designs on footwear is common in the fashion industry and that Adidas should not have exclusive rights to all stripe designs.
4Where was the lawsuit filed?
The lawsuit was filed in federal court in Brooklyn, New York.
5What outcome is Steve Madden seeking from the lawsuit?
Steve Madden seeks a judgment that its Viento and Janos designs do not infringe on Adidas' trademarks, allowing it to continue selling these sneakers.
