Three of the world's largest sportswear manufacturers are demanding that Adidas-Salomon AG be ordered to change its iconic three-stripe designs on uniforms used in future Olympic Games, including the upcoming Winter Games in Turin.

　　The stripes in Adidas uniforms run down the arm and down the pant leg. The company's uniforms also have a smaller pyramid, or trefoil, logo that's similar in size to those on uniforms made by Nike Inc, Reebok Inc and Puma AG.

　　In a letter to the International Olympic Committee, the three manufacturers argue that the Adidas design is a breach of the IOC's marketing code, which allows sportswear manufacturers to display logos that are a maximum 20 square centimeters, or 3.2 square inches.

　　The three sportswear giants say Adidas was asked to change the uniform design 1 1/2 years ago for the Athens Olympics but was granted an exemption after Adidas argued it could not overhaul the uniforms in time. The latest letter, sent this October, asks for the exemption to be withdrawn in time for the 2006 games in Turin.

　　"This is an advantage for Adidas. And for the other brands, it's a disadvantage because we have less space to show off our logo, and so less product visibility," said Puma's corporate communications director Ulf Santjer. "It should be the same space for all of us."

　　Adidas counters that the IOC has allowed the three stripes to be worn on Olympic uniforms for decades, and it is unfair to challenge the design now.

　　"For almost 40 years, the three stripes have been an integral part of the equipment provided by us to our Olympic athletes," Adidas said in a prepared statement.

　　Adi Dassler, the German cobbler who founded Adidas, registered the three stripes in 1949, and the design has become synonymous with the German sportswear giant.

　　Adidas says the three stripes are a "design element" on the uniform. Adidas' three rivals argue it's more than that.

　　"Adidas has registered that design in 104 countries - so it's clear they think of it as a trademark," said Puma's Santjer.

　　(The Associated Press)