OLD RIVALS NIKE, ADIDAS PARTNER IN SUIT AGAINST WAL-MART

          Nike and adidas America filed suit against Wal-Mart in
     N.Y. Federal Court yesterday, claiming that the retailer
     "bought and sold counterfeit T-shirts and other goods"
     bearing the two brands' logos, according to Andy Dworkin of
     the Portland OREGONIAN.  The two companies say that the
     "fakes were being sold" at Sam's Club, a 465-store chain of
     warehouse clubs owned by Wal-Mart, and asked the court "to
     bar Wal-Mart from selling more knock-off goods and award
     damages for any counterfeits sold."  adidas America in-house
     counsel Michael Heilbronner said that it is "too early to
     determine just how great" the damages "might be" and added
     that the companies "can get greater damages if they show
     Wal-Mart sold the fakes knowingly and not accidentally"
     (OREGONIAN, 4/27).  CNBC's Maria Bartiromo noted, "Two years
     ago, Wal-Mart settled a similar suit with Tommy Hilfiger for
     $6.4 million.  Polo Ralph Lauren and Nautica [are] also on
     the list of companies that have sued Wal-Mart" (CNBC, 4/26).