Adidas Sue Nike for Violation of Patents

The world's two leading sportswear brands are facing off in a Texas court as Adidas filed a lawsuit against Nike on Friday, alleging infringement on nine of Adidas' patents relating to mobile applications and shoe technology.

Adidas Sue Nike

Although they have had legal disputes before, this is the first time that Adidas have filed a federal lawsuit against Nike. They claim that Nike's Run Club, Training Club and SNKRS mobile apps and Adapt system for adjusting the fit of their shoes are all in violation of nine patents held by Adidas for exercise monitoring, an "intelligent footwear" system, and other technology.

Adidas say that they developed "world's first intelligent running shoe" in 2004, the "first fully integrated training system combining sensors in shoes and wearable devices" in 2005, and personal training apps starting in 2008, and that Nike's more recent developments in these fields infringe on Adidas' patents.

Features that include location-based run tracking, audio feedback on performance, and a system for creating a training plan are the areas in which Nike violated Adidas patents relating to mobile apps, according to the German brand. They said the following in the suit:

Nike's SNKRS app, which allows users to get exclusive access to new footwear releases, was launched shortly after Adidas' Confirmed app, which operates in the same way.

Footwear Technology

The Adidas_1 shoe contained a motor inside the sole and a sensor heel which adjusted the stiffness of the sole in real time. Nike then launched their Adapt technology, which gained a lot of attention for its use in the self-lacing Nike Mag sneaker, a shoe design based on one from the 1985 film Back to The Future Part II. Adidas cite this as another infringement.

Adidas_1 and Nike Mag "Back to the Future"

It is not all one-sided however, as back in December, Nike registered complaints in Oregon federal court and at the U.S. International Trade Commission, accusing Adidas of copying their Flyknit sneakers with the launch of their Primeknit shoes. Both of these cases are still pending.

Primeknit and Flyknit technology used in football boots.

Adidas are seeking compensation for Nike’s “infringing activities” that is “no event less than a reasonable royalty.” They also want an order blocking Nike from continuing the infringement.

Who do you think will win the court case, Adidas or Nike? Comment below.