Nike, Inc., on Wednesday, filed a patent lawsuit against Lululemon Athletica, Inc. Nike claims to hold a number of fitness equipment patents that Lululemon is infringing with its Mirror connected fitness device and related mobile applications.
The filing in n U.S. District Court in Manhattan alleges that the Mirror connected fitness gym infringes on six patents, including enabling users to target specific levels of exertion, compete with other users and record their own performance. Nike claims in the lawsuit, according to CNBC, that in 1983, it invented and filed a patent application on a device for determining a runner’s speed, distance traversed, elapsed time and calories expended. It has since launched a range of popular mobile apps such as Nike Run Club and Nike Training Club embracing such technology.
Lululemon bought Mirror, a wall-mounted device that guides users through a variety of high-intensity cardio classes and other exercises, for $500 million in 2020. Lululemon said in a media statement that “The patents in question are overly broad and invalid. We are confident in our position and look forward to defending it in court.”
