The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) banned imports of video streaming fitness devices made by Peloton Interactive, Inc. (PTON.O) and iFit, Inc after a judge ruled the company’s infringed on Dish Network Corp. (DISH.O) patents.
Dish and its subsidiary Sling TV initially sued Peloton, iFit and Lululemon in 2021.
The four patents in question stem from Dish Network’s Hopper set-top box and are related to how the device adjusts the bitrate of a stream in real-time to improve video quality.
The ITC complaint was separately filed at the same time, seeking a ban on Peloton’s bikes and treadmills and iFit’s NordicTrack bikes and ellipticals, as well as Lululemon’s Mirror. However, Lululemon will not feel the impact because it settled with Dish Network in February 2023, as reported by Reuters.
ITC Chief Administrative Law Judge Clark Cheney sided with Dish in September.
President Biden’s administration has 60 days to review the ban, though American presidents rarely reverse such actions.
Parties can also appeal ITC decisions to the U.S. Court of Appeals For The Federal Circuit, which reviews patent disputes after the 60-day review period ends.
A Peloton spokesperson told Reuters the company was disappointed with the decision and believes it did not infringe the patents, but the ruling will “in no way disrupt service” for its users.
Representatives for Dish Network and iFit did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Photo courtesy Peloton
