Tuesday December 5, 2023

Nike Seeks to Block Imports of Adidas Knit Shoes

  • Nike is asking the International Trade Commission to block imports of a type of Adidas shoes.
  • The Oregon-based company claims Adidas infringed six patents.
Adidas-Primeknit-Shoe
Adidas/Design: Alex Brooks
Linkedin
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

Nike is asking the International Trade Commission to block imports of an Adidas shoe that allegedly copies technology in the Nike shoes worn by stars like LeBron James and Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Oregon-based company claims that 49 shoe designs by Adidas use its Flyknit technology, which infringes six patents that it owns. In response, Adidas said it will defend itself against the allegations because its Primeknit technology “resulted from years of dedicated research.” 

Sneaker Fights Heat Up

  • Last year, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit upheld two Nike patents that were challenged by Adidas for potential infringement of its Primeknit shoes.
  • Nike claims that its Flyknit technology is the product of $100 million spent on development.
  • The Swoosh seeks to ban imports of Adidas shoes that include collaborations with fashion designer Stella McCartney and record producer Pharrell Williams.
  • Nike previously settled shoe-related lawsuits with Puma in January 2020 and Skechers last month. 

Adidas reported a drop in third-quarter operating income, lowering its full-year forecast. The company generated $6.6 billion in revenue in Q3, a 3.4% uptick year-over-year, but operating income fell 8.5% to $776.7 million. 

Nike reported $12.2 billion in revenue in fiscal Q1 2022, a 16% increase year-over-year.

Linkedin
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Peyton Manning on the ManningCast
exclusive

ESPN’s ManningCast Goes Double: Two MNF Games, Two Brothers, One Epic Show

Peyton and Eli Manning will call two “Monday Night Football” games at the same time on Dec. 11 as ManningCast expands across ESPN.

Ronaldo Sued For $1B In Latest Fallout From Athlete Crypto Deals

Soccer superstar latest to be hit in legal fallout from crypto decline.
The College Football Playoff is considering rotating TV networks for the national championship game.

CFP Considers Super Bowl-Like Rotation For National Championship Game

Multiple networks could share rights to the championship game, sources told FOS.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

Premier League Sets New Bar with Media Deals

0:00
0:00

Featured Today

The future of the Pac-12 rests on a court decision.
November 24, 2023

The Pac-12 Plays Its Final Regular-Season Game. Then A Court Decides Its Fate.

The conference's future rests with a court decision.
Lane Kiffin
November 9, 2023

Ole Miss, Lane Kiffin Lawyers Argue for Dismissal of Player Lawsuit

FOS obtained audio of Lane Kiffin's interaction with the player behind lawsuit.
LSU Lady Tigers head coach Kim Mulkey reacts against the Iowa Hawkeyes during the NCAA Womens Basketball Final Four National Championship at American Airlines Center.
November 6, 2023

Who Is The Highest-Paid Women’s College Basketball Coach?

LSU rewarded Kim Mulkey after winning a national title after her second year leading the program.

Careers

Powered By

Careers in Sports

Looking for a new job? Check out these featured listings and search for openings all over the world.
Wasserman
Multiple - USA Careers
Live Nation
Multiple - USA Careers
Saco Bay PT
Multiple - USA Careers

How the $1B Golf Ball Industry Might Add a Few Strokes To Your Game

A distance roll back is set to be coming to golf balls.
November 21, 2023

Upbeat Dick’s Earnings Counter Slowdown In Sports Apparel Market

Surprise earnings beat contrasts from other recent results in the category.
November 25, 2023

Sports Apparel Giants Looking For Holiday Season Turnaround

Once-surging category enters the critical selling period mired in a slump.
Sponsored

NHL’s Chris Foster on Amplifying Content Distribution With Automation

Learn how the NHL is using WSC Sports to increase fan engagement.
November 20, 2023

Messi Set To Challenge For Another Off-Pitch Record

Messi's World Cup jerseys are headed for auction.
October 12, 2023

Liverpool Facing Further Stadium Delays Amid Shifting Financial Future

Liverpool is expanding its stadium capacity to 61,000.
People take pictures on their phones of the New York Stock Exchange decorated with On branding.
October 6, 2023

Roger Federer-Backed On Outlines Ambitious Growth Plans

The Swiss company plans to double sales to $3.85 billion by 2026.
Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Shohei Ohtani hits against the Tampa Bay Rays during the sixth inning at Angel Stadium.
September 29, 2023

Shohei Ohtani Tops MLB Jersey Sales List For First Time

He's the first Japanese player to headline the list in MLB history.