New Balance Sues Decathlon Over Kiprun Logo
New Balance Sues Decathlon Over Kiprun Logo
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Key Points
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The lawsuit names Decathlon America LLC and Decathlon USA LLC as defendants and was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts under case number 1:26-cv-14235.
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Decathlon introduced the angular KIPRUN mark as part of a 2025 rebrand, saying the design was inspired by starting blocks on a track.
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KIPRUN shoes began selling in the United States on April 6 through Decathlon’s website and specialty retailers including Running Warehouse and Run Moore; the complaint identifies eight models, ranging from the $130 Kipsummit to the $350 Kipstorm Lab.
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New Balance’s complaint asserts several legal theories beyond standard trademark infringement, including false designation of origin, federal and state trademark dilution, and common-law claims.
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New Balance has pursued similar disputes involving its N logo, settling prior U.S. cases with Michael Kors and Nautica and winning a $1.5 million judgment against Chinese shoemakers in 2017.
New Balance is suing Decathlon in federal court over the stylized logo on its KIPRUN running shoes, claiming the mirrored design looks virtually identical to New Balance's iconic "N" and will confuse shoppers. Hoodline reported that New Balance filed the lawsuit in Massachusetts, arguing consumers mistake Decathlon's mark for an "N" rather than a "K." Decathlon says the angular design represents a "K" inspired by starting blocks on a track.
The Boston-based shoe maker is seeking an injunction to stop sales, a recall of affected shoes, and monetary damages. New Balance notified Decathlon of its concerns before filing suit, but the company declined to change the design, according to the complaint filed in U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts.
KIPRUN Shoes Launch Into U.S. Market This Spring
Decathlon introduced the KIPRUN brand as part of a 2025 rebrand of its running shoe line. WWD reported that the shoes began selling in the United States on April 6 through Decathlon's website and specialty retailers including Running Warehouse and Run Moore. The complaint identifies eight models ranging from the $130 Kipsummit to the $350 Kipstorm Lab.
New Balance Points to Confusing Social Media Chatter
New Balance's complaint cites social media posts and online commentary in which runners mistakenly identified the KIPRUN mark as an "N." The company argues this confusion happens both when consumers shop for shoes and when they see athletes wearing or marketing the shoes. WWD noted that New Balance claims the design is "confusingly similar" to its trademarked "N."
New Balance Has Won Similar Logo Fights Before
This is not New Balance's first trademark dispute over its "N" logo. The company settled prior U.S. cases with Michael Kors and Nautica and won a $1.5 million judgment against Chinese shoemakers in 2017. New Balance's complaint asserts multiple legal theories beyond standard trademark infringement, including false designation of origin, federal and state trademark dilution, and common-law claims. NBC Boston reported that the lawsuit was filed under case number 1:26-cv-14235 and names Decathlon America LLC and Decathlon USA LLC as defendants.
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