Oregon Wants a Cut of Adidas’ Award

adidasIn 2005, Adidas AG sued Collective Brands, Inc., parent company of Payless ShoeSource, for selling shoes that have a triple-striped design similar to that of Adidas’ products. In early May, a federal jury in Oregon awarded Adidas nearly $305 million for the violations, the largest trademark verdict in history, according to many trademark experts.

Now, Oregon wants a piece of that pie – a piece to the tune of $82 million, or 60 percent of the punitive damages (which came out to $137 million). Naturally, Adidas is opposed to the idea. Less naturally, Payless is also opposed to it. According to the Bloomberg article, Payless is challenging Adidas’ injunction request, saying that it is too broad.

If it ends up getting the $82 million, Oregon will reportedly use the money for a “restitution fund for crime victims.”


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