Browne launched his clothing line in early 2000 and has since pumped out parallel stripe designs on everything from suits paired with pleated skirts and shorts to cashmere jumpers and socks over the years.

Adidas sought roughly US$7.8 million in damages – equivalent to the amount Adidas believed it would have earned through a licensing agreement with Thom Browne and profits Thom Browne made off the parallel stripe designs.

In the end, Thom Browne’s lawyers successfully argued that consumers don’t confuse the two brands because Adidas is a sportswear company and Thom Browne is a luxury fashion house.

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“Fighting this was important,” Browne said in an interview with The New York Times after the verdict was read. He told the publication the decision was a “protection for creativity” against big companies. “When you create something, someone can’t just come and take it away from you.”

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Thom Browne made US$285 million in 2021 revenue compared to US$23 billion for Adidas, according to The New York Times report.

The battle is likely not over between the two companies. Adidas said in a previous statement to Insider that it may appeal the decision.

“We are disappointed with the verdict and will continue to vigilantly enforce our intellectual property, including filing any appropriate appeals,” an Adidas spokesman said.

A spokesperson for Thom Browne, Inc. told Insider it was pleased with the jury’s decision that the company did not infringe on any of Adidas’ trademarks.

“We look forward to continuing to design and provide the creative products that have become the hallmark of the Thom Browne label,” the spokesperson added.

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Adidas sought roughly US$7.8 million in damages from Thom Browne but lost in court earlier this month.

Who is Thom Browne?

Thom Browne’s started his eponymous brand in 2001 with seed money he borrowed from his siblings, GQ reported.

Born in Allentown, Pennsylvania, Browne opened his first store in New York City in 2003 with five made-to-measure grey suits. His company has since expanded to over 50 stores and also sells footwear, accessories like eyewear and neckties, and a fragrance, according to its site.

“The grey suit remains elemental to all he does, signifying a singular point-of-view and the commitment to exceptional quality in fabrics and tailoring,” Thom Browne’s website reads.

In 2007, after Adidas discovered how Thom Browne was using stripes, the label agreed to add a fourth stripe to its designs to avoid a legal battle. Browne recently told NPR his striped designs were influenced by his love of sports and the clothing athletes wore.

“I have always been inspired by sports. I grew up swimming, playing tennis, and come from a family of seven kids who - we all did sports,” he said on NPR. “So the stripes really were inspired by varsity tennis jumpers and varsity pieces of clothing.”

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Like many luxury brands, Thom Browne has expanded into more casual wear

Both casual wear and sports are Adidas business’ bread and butter. The company has not been shy about taking legal action against brands it believes are infringing on its three stripes trademark. In recent years, Adidas has challenged Puma, Payless and Skechers over shoe designs.

“I am very excited about taking on the chairmanship of the CFDA,” Browne said in an October statement after the announcement. “I also feel that it is important to give back to an industry that has supported me so well over the last 20 years. I am so proud to be an American designer … there is so much happening in American design today that the world needs to really see and recognise and truly appreciate.”