In a fight involving the world's biggest names in sportswear, Nike, Reebok and Puma are demanding Adidas change their three-stripe design on clothing in the Olympic Games.

The three sportswear makers argue that the Adidas stripes, which run down the legs and the arms of athletes' outfits, violate International Olympic Committee rules limiting corporate logos to a maximum of 20 square centimetres.

Nike, Reebok and Puma said Adidas was asked more than a year ago to change its striped design for Athens, but the company said it didn't have time. Now, the three complainants say they want the design changed in time for the next Winter Games in Turin, Italy in 2006.

Adidas said the IOC has permitted the stripes on Olympic clothing for decades.

"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 statement.

The German sportswear maker says the three stripes are only a "design element," while its competitors argue Adidas has registered the design in dozens of countries and treat it as a trademark.

Adidas is protective of its stripes, having gone to court against Ralph Lauren in August over a three-stripe design. Adidas also sued Vision Sports in July over a four-stripe design.