Adidas-Nike Sneaker War Heats Up With Lawsuit

Adidas has filed a lawsuit against competitor Nike, alleging that the Swoosh is infringing on nine of its sneaker patents. 

The lawsuit allegations range from shoe designs to technologies released years ago.

• Adidas claims Nike infringed on the 2005 released Adidas_1 — which Adidas says is the first shoe to ever sense and adjust “the comfort of the shoe while the shoe is worn” — with Nike’s Adapt technology.
• The Nike app SNKRS allegedly infringes on Adidas’ Confirmed app, which both allow consumers to reserve products. Confirmed rolled out before SNKRS in 2015.
• Nike’s Run Club and Training Club apps are also named as infringement examples in the lawsuit, specifically over location-based run tracking, training plan systems, and audio feedback.

Adidas is seeking an order blocking Nike from infringing on patents, as well as “damages in an amount sufficient to compensate Adidas for the defendant’s infringement.”

Nike reported $10.9 billion in third-quarter revenue, and Adidas posted $5.58 billion in first-quarter revenue.

Checks Over Stripes?

The lawsuit marks the first time Adidas has sued Nike, but not the first time the pair have battled in court.

In December, Nike filed its own complaint against Adidas, claiming that at least 49 of the latter’s shoes that are made with Adidas’ Primeknit technology infringe on Nike’s Flyknit technology. Nike’s request for the International Trade Commission to block Adidas’ imports and its lawsuit is still pending.

Nike sued Adidas in 2005 over two sneaker patents, but the companies dropped the case two years later.