Home » Business News » Adidas launches lawsuit against rival Nike over alleged stealing of technology

Adidas launches lawsuit against rival Nike over alleged stealing of technology

By Nagasunder in Business News, posted June 14, 2022

Sportswear giants Adidas and Nike are set to lock horns in court over claims one company stole the other's technology.

Adidas has launched a lawsuit against Nike, claiming the company “knowingly and intentionally” infringed on nine patents related to Adidas’ proprietary athletic technology.

The complaint accuses Nike's Run Club app, Nike Training Club app, and Nike SNKRS app of containing infringing components.

The complaint also criticizes Nike's software connections, which link to its shoes through a remote device and are found in the Nike Adapt, HyperAdapt, and the 2016 Nike Mag.

The suit claims: “Adidas has long been a leader in mobile technology, including technology related to mobile fitness and mobile purchases.

“Adidas was the first in the industry to comprehensively bring data analytics to athletes.”

Claiming it has been damaged irreparably by Nike’s infringement, Adidas asked to be rewarded at an amount that compensates for Nike’s “infringing activities” which is “no event less than a reasonable royalty.”

The lawsuit marks the latest trademark battle between the two giants.

In December, Nike asked the International Trade Commission to block the import of Adidas’ Primeknit footwear, claiming the shoes infringed on Nike’s Flyknit patents.

Separately, both companies have been involved in their own patent-related lawsuits with other brands as well.

In February, Nike sued StockX, saying that the sneaker resale platform utilized Nike's copyrighted trademarks and products in a bid to join the NFT, or non-fungible token, market.

In a complaint filed in January, the company also accused Lululemon Athletica Inc. of patent infringement relating to its at-home Mirror fitness gadget and other apps.

Source: FootWearNews

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