New Balance sues Decathlon for trademark infringement over shoe logo

• New Balance has used its 'N' logo on footwear since the 1970s and claims Decathlon's mirrored 'K' on Kiprun shoes is 'unmistakably an N'
• Decathlon sells Kiprun shoes to U.S. customers online and through third-party retailers, with social media posts already noting the logo resemblance
• New Balance has a history of defending its logo, having previously settled similar cases with Skechers and Nautica, and winning a trademark victory in Chinese courts in 2017

Summary: New Balance Sues Decathlon Over Trademark Infringement

Key Development:

New Balance has filed a trademark infringement lawsuit against French sporting goods retailer Decathlon in Massachusetts federal court on September 16, alleging the company's shoe logo violates its iconic "N" trademark rights.

Core Allegations:

Boston-based New Balance claims that the backwards "K" logo on Decathlon's Kiprun running shoes closely resembles its famous "N" logo, which has been used on footwear since the 1970s. The lawsuit describes Decathlon's mirrored "K" design as "unmistakably an N" and argues it will confuse consumers.

Market Presence:

France-based Decathlon sells Kiprun shoes to U.S. customers through online channels and third-party brick-and-mortar retailers, creating direct market overlap with New Balance products.

Legal Action:

New Balance is seeking a court order to block the alleged infringement plus unspecified monetary damages. The complaint cites social media posts highlighting the logo similarity as evidence of potential consumer confusion.

Historical Context:

This isn't New Balance's first defense of its trademark. The company has previously filed and settled similar U.S. lawsuits against retailers including Nautica, and achieved a notable victory in Chinese courts against local shoemakers over the same logo in 2017.

Case Details:

The case is filed as New Balance Athletics Inc v. Decathlon America LLC, U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts, No. 1:26-cv-14235. New Balance is represented by Mark Puzella of Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe.

Neither company has yet commented on the lawsuit. This legal action underscores the ongoing importance of trademark protection in the competitive athletic footwear industry.