Adidas AG filed a lawsuit against Nike, Inc. for allegedly infringing its mobile applications and shoe-fitting technology patents.
In the suit filed in East Texas Federal Court, Adidas charges that Nike’s Run Club, Training Club and SNKRS mobile apps and Adapt System for adjusting sneaker fits violate nine Adidas patents for exercise monitoring, an “intelligent footwear” system, its sneaker reservation app, Confirmed, and other patented technology.
Adidas accused Nike’s exercise apps of infringing patents covering features that include location-based run tracking, performance audio feedback, and a system for creating a training plan.
Adidas wrote in the complaint, ‘”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.”
Adidas said it has a history of developing mobile-fitness technology, including the “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.
Adidas said Nike’s Adidas Adapt system, which automatically loosens or tightens shoelaces based on the shape of the wearer’s foot, violates its patents for an “intelligent footwear” system that adjusts a shoe’s cushioning based on what the wearer is doing.
Adidas claims Nike’s Adapt system infringes on the Adidas_1, which it claims was the first shoe that “sensed and adjusted the comfort of the shoe while the shoe was worn.”
The Adidas_1 was announced in 2004 and released in 2005.
Finally, Adidas charged that Nike’s SNKRS app for selling limited-edition shoes infringes a patent related to confirming a potential buyer’s authenticity. Adidas Confirmed was launched in early February 2015, while the similar SNKRS app was introduced days later.
The lawsuit marks Adidas’ first federal lawsuit against Nike.
Last December, Nike asked the International Trade Commission to block the import of Adidas’ Primeknit footwear, claiming the shoes infringed on Nike’s Flyknit patents while filing related complaints in Oregon Federal Court. The Oregon lawsuit and request for the ITC to block imports of Adidas shoes are still pending.
Adidas is asking the court for an unspecified amount of money damages and an order blocking Nike from infringing.
The case is Adidas AG v. Nike, Inc, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, No. 2:22-cv-00198.
