Sports
New Balance Sues Decathlon Over Kiprun Logo
The American brand claims Kiprun's new emblem mimics its classic 'N' and could mislead runners.
New Balance has taken legal action in the United States against Decathlon for trademark infringement. The lawsuit alleges that the stylized logo on the Kiprun running line unlawfully resembles the American shoemaker's iconic N emblem.
The legal battle between sporting goods giants has taken a new turn in the United States. New Balance has filed a lawsuit against Decathlon in a Massachusetts federal court, alleging that the logo featured on Kiprun running shoes infringes on the intellectual property of its classic "N".
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Is it a stylized 'K' or a reversed 'N'?
According to the complaint filed by the American brand, Decathlon's design—presented as a mirrored or stylized "K"—is "unequivocally an N" and is similar enough to cause direct confusion among consumers and runners. In the lawsuit, New Balance asks the court to enjoin the retailer from continuing to use the emblem in the marketplace and seeks unspecified damages.
Highlighted in Radar Stemma's news roundup, the case has drawn attention over the graphic resemblance between both brands' footwear. The diagonal slant and angular lines of Kiprun's new design have sparked debate over whether shoppers might associate the shoes with New Balance models bearing the iconic "N," such as the FuelCell line.
Despite the courtroom clash in the United States, the coverage is also boosting Kiprun's visibility among road runners—a segment where Decathlon has been ramping up performance investments to compete head-to-head with established industry players. The final verdict on whether the logo can still be used now rests with the court.
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