Adidas Could Lose Trademark for 2026 World Cup Trionda Ball Panel Design
Mar 27, 2026, by Phan Tich Giay
- Trademark Dispute: Adidas is facing a legal challenge that could strip them of the exclusive design rights for the Trionda, the official match ball of the 2026 World Cup, in Europe.
- Challenger's Claim: Marius Dittmar, a designer, is contesting Adidas's design protection, arguing that he had previously designed similar four-panel footballs and that the Trionda's design is not significantly different from a 2008 US patent.
- Adidas's Response: Adidas downplays the potential impact, stating that losing the design trademark would only affect their exclusive use of the panel design in Europe, but not the use of the panel shapes, and that they have other protections in place.
The Adidas Trionda, the official match ball for the 2026 World Cup, is being hailed by CEO Bjørn Gulden as his "favorite product" and "the most beautiful and technically sophisticated football ever." However, behind the scenes, a major legal dispute is threatening to strip Adidas of the exclusive design rights for this highly anticipated ball in Europe.
This incredible story was first reported by Christoph Neßhöver for the German business publication, manager magazin.
Adidas Could Lose Trademark for 2026 World Cup Trionda Ball Panel Design
The defining feature of the new Adidas 2026 Trionda ball is its revolutionary construction. Instead of the traditional multi-panel design (like the classic 32-panel Telstar), the Trionda is constructed using just four large, star-shaped panels.
Adidas naturally sought to protect this innovative four-part design to prevent competitors from copying it during the massive World Cup sales cycle. They filed for design protection with the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) under the number 015017152-0001.
The Challenger: Marius Dittmar
However, that protection is now under severe threat. Marius Dittmar, a 34-year-old former amateur footballer and owner of the design firm 142k, has officially filed a request with the EUIPO to cancel Adidas’s design protection.
Dittmar, who designs footballs and sports accessories for brands like Jako and Hummel, claims he had already designed several four-panel footballs himself. When leaked images of the Trionda first appeared online a year ago, Dittmar believed Adidas had stolen his design concept.
Dittmar registered his design with the German Patent and Trademark Office in November 2023.
Adidas had secretly filed their Trionda design with the EUIPO before Dittmar in 2023 but chose not to publish or activate it immediately - a common practice to hide upcoming products.
When Adidas learned of Dittmar's nearly identical registration, they rushed to officially activate their EUIPO protection in late March 2025.
The "Prior Art" Argument
Because Adidas technically filed their secret EUIPO application before Dittmar's German registration, Dittmar took a different legal route to invalidate Adidas's claim.
In October 2025, Dittmar filed for the cancellation of Adidas’s protection by citing an older US patent from 2008. This 2008 patent, filed by an American creative, describes a four-panel ball design that Dittmar argues is strikingly similar to the Trionda.
The core legal argument is whether the Adidas Trionda design significantly differs from the "existing wealth of forms" already established by that 2008 US patent. If the EUIPO determines that it does not, Adidas could lose its exclusive design rights.
Adidas's Response: "No Commercial Impact"
While losing the design trademark would undoubtedly be an embarrassment for the brand that has supplied every World Cup ball since 1970, Adidas publicly downplays the threat.
When asked for comment by manager magazin, Adidas stated that a cancellation would have "no commercial impact." They clarified that losing the case would only jeopardize "the exclusive use of the panel design by Adidas in Europe, but not the use of the panel shapes by Adidas itself." Furthermore, they noted they hold three separate protections for the Trionda covering the panel shape, color design, and surface structure.
However, if the protection falls in Europe, it could potentially open the door for copycats and cheaper competitors to legally produce and sell structurally identical four-panel footballs in crucial markets.
The implications of this dispute extend far beyond the 2026 World Cup. Adidas uses this same four-panel technology across its wider football portfolio. The recently released "Conext 26 Pro" ball utilizes the exact same structure, and it is highly likely that upcoming match balls for the Champions League, MLS, and the Bundesliga will also rely on this four-panel blueprint.
The EUIPO is currently reviewing the case to decide whether Trionda's design protection will stand or fall.
What do you think of this legal battle over the Trionda ball design? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Extremely Limited: Macron Lausanne-Sport 26-27 130th Anniversary Kit Released
Swiss Super League club FC Lausanne-Sport and technical sponsor Macron have officially unveiled a special commemorative kit celebrating the club's 130th anniversary. Founded in 1896 under the original name FC Montriond, the Swiss side pays tribute to its foundational roots with a look directly inspired by the earliest outfits in club history.
The Macron Lausanne-Sport 26-27 130th Anniversary shirt showcases broad alternating blue and white horizontal hoops across the body and sleeves, framed by a neat crew neck collar. Honoring its heritage, the jersey swaps the contemporary LS crest for the historic FC Montriond badge on the chest alongside the Macron Hero logo. The kit is complemented by simple white shorts and white socks to finish a faithful retro aesthetic, while a matching pale green variation has been crafted for the goalkeepers.
The special shirt will not be released for general retail sale. Only 130 individually numbered copies have been produced, each accompanied by a certificate of authenticity. Fans will have the chance to win the shirts via a charity raffle benefiting the club's youth development fund during the official anniversary match against FC Thun at the Stade de la Tuilière on November 1, 2026, where the team will wear the kit in action.
Cobh Ramblers 2026 Third Kit Released
Cobh Ramblers have officially released their new third kit for the 2026 League of Ireland First Division campaign. Produced by German brand uhlsport, the strip introduces a classy black and gold color scheme while sharing the bespoke local design language featured across the club's 2026 kit collection.
The uhlsport Cobh Ramblers 2026 third shirt combines a black base with subtle tonal vertical striping. Flowing down the left side beneath the monochrome gold club crest are two striking gold vertical stripes shaped like lancet arches, inspired by the architecture and stained glass windows of St Colman's Cathedral in Cobh. Celtic knotwork adorns the v-neck collar and sleeve cuffs, while the uhlsport lettering and front-of-shirt sponsor Caltech Electrical Supplies are also finished in gold.
The new Cobh Ramblers 2026 third kit is now available through the club's official online store and physical club shop, retailing at €70 for adult sizes and €50 for kids.
Salisbury FC 26-27 Third Kit Revealed
English non-league side Salisbury FC have officially unveiled their new 26-27 third kit, brought back following the squad's recent tour of Kuwait. The release complements the club's home and away strips that were launched earlier in the summer.
The Salisbury FC 26-27 third shirt features a vibrant yellow base contrasted with royal blue accents. A retro-inspired blue collar with a v-neck insert frames the neckline, while dynamic blue striped graphics run down the sleeves and lower flanks. Continuing the club's deep ties to Kuwait under owner Ali Alhamad, the chest prominently displays the Arabic script logo of a Kuwaiti digital bank alongside the club crest.
The strip is completed with matching yellow shorts featuring blue side panels. The Salisbury 26-27 third shirt was made available exclusively to match-going fans at the club shop ahead of their FA Cup qualifying clash against Dulwich Hamlet.
Independiente del Valle 2026 Commemorative Kit Released
Ecuadorian powerhouse Independiente del Valle has teamed up with Marathon Sports to launch a special commemorative kit for the final stretch of the 2026 campaign. Designed as an end-of-the-year release, the new shirt will be worn by Los Rayados in their remaining LigaPro and Copa Ecuador fixtures as they push for silverware.
The Marathon Independiente del Valle 2026 commemorative jersey introduces a fresh color twist on the club's signature look. Dominated by a sleek black base, the shirt is highlighted by a wide vertical pink stripe running down the center of the chest with a subtle brushstroke texture. The IDV crest takes center stage directly inside the stripe beneath the Marathon logo, accompanied by matching pink trim on the collar and sleeve cuffs alongside crisp white sponsor graphics.
This special release stands apart from IDV's regular 2026 home shirt, which used blue detailing rather than the bold pink seen here. The jersey was unveiled following an exclusive blindfolded preview event for club members and is now available through official Marathon Sports stores and online retailers.