New Balance Sued Decathlon Over Logo Design
The shoemaker alleges that the Kiprun brand logo creates consumer confusion with its iconic N mark.
Updated on Sept. 18, 2026 in Running
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New Balance has filed a trademark infringement lawsuit against Decathlon in U.S. District Court, claiming the Kiprun brand logo mirrors its own branding. The legal action follows the U.S. introduction of several Kiprun footwear models earlier this year.
Why it matters
The dispute centers on whether current market branding causes confusion for runners at the point of sale. New Balance contends that the similarities in design risk diluting a brand mark that has been in continuous use for five decades.
New Balance has filed an official court complaint citing 50 years of N mark usage against Decathlon, which entered the U.S. market in April 2026. The case remains under judicial review to determine if the specific Kiprun logo designs constitute trademark infringement.
The players
New Balance
An athletic footwear and apparel company known for its running shoes and long-standing use of the N logo.
Decathlon
A global sports equipment retailer that recently introduced its Kiprun performance footwear brand to the U.S. market.
The details
New Balance alleges that specific Kiprun models, including the Kipstorm and Kipsummit lines, feature a K logo design that creates point-of-sale confusion. The suit claims that when inverted or displayed in certain marketing materials, the K resembles the classic New Balance N. Decathlon maintains that its logo was designed specifically to represent the letter K.
Timeline
1976: New Balance launched its first shoe featuring the N mark.
April 2026: Decathlon launched the first Kiprun footwear models in the United States.
September 15, 2026: New Balance filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Massachusetts.
Health Landscape
This lawsuit follows a pattern set by New Balance's previous trademark enforcement actions against Michael Kors and Nautica. It reflects the company's broader historical strategy of protecting its signature brand identity through federal litigation.
This development does not impact the performance or quality of the footwear currently on the market for runners. If you have questions about specific product origins or branding, you may wish to review official manufacturer materials provided at the point of purchase.
The takeaway
The court will decide if the Kiprun logo causes enough consumer confusion to warrant a design change. Runners should continue to prioritize shoe fit and performance features when selecting footwear, regardless of current legal disputes between brands.
Further reading
For more on the latest trends and developments in athletic gear, visit our Running section.
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Do you believe companies should be allowed to trademark simple, common letter-based logo designs?
