New Balance takes Decathlon to court over logo: K or N?

New Balance has filed a lawsuit against the French sports retailer Decathlon. The logo on the Kiprun running shoes is said to bear too close a resemblance to the American shoe manufacturer’s iconic “N.”

Potential for confusion?

In the complaint, filed with a federal court in Massachusetts, New Balance argues that the mirrored letter “K” on Decathlon’s Kiprun running shoes resembles the famous “N.” According to the brand, this could lead to confusion among consumers, as evidenced by social media posts highlighting the similarity between the logos. According to Decathlon, however, it is unmistakably a “K” and not an “N.”

New Balance wants Decathlon to cease the alleged infringement and is also seeking damages, the exact amount of which has not been specified. This is not the first time New Balance has taken legal action to protect its brand: the company has already filed similar lawsuits against brands such as Michael Kors and Nautica. Those cases resulted in settlements.