Sportswear giant Adidas has backtracked on its opposition to a trademark application from the Black Lives Matter organization featuring three parallel stripes.
Adidas said in a statement that it will withdraw its opposition to the Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation’s trademark application as soon as feasible.
Adidas retracted its opposition without prejudice, meaning it could still challenge the trademark in the future on the same grounds.
Concern that Adidas’ trademark objection could be misconstrued as a criticism of Black Lives Matter’s mission prompted the abrupt about-face, according to a source close to the company.
Adidas stated in a Monday filing to the trademark office that the Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation’s yellow-stripe design is “likely to cause confusion” due to its similarity to its own famous three-stripe mark.
It sought to prevent the group from using the design on shirts, hats, and purses that the German sportswear manufacturer also sells.
As a result of Kanye West’s antisemitic remarks on social media and in interviews, Adidas severed its lucrative Yeezy shoe partnership with Kanye West and is now experiencing financial difficulties.
According to media reports, the sportswear company has also ended its Ivy Park collaboration with Beyoncé. The musical star’s contract with Adidas will expire at the end of this year.