Nike is not playing around when it comes to its intellectual property as Nike, Inc. is now suing Lululemon for patent infringement of its Flyknit technology. Nike’s list of active lawsuits seems to be growing day-by-day as the Swoosh recently sued BAPE and Lil Gnar, as well as Kool Kiy and Omi in a Hellcat, with some of Nike’s most notable legal battles including Warren Lotas and John Geiger.
Around this time last year in January 2022, Lululemon upset Nike with its studio mirror that provides users with interactive home-based workouts. This caused Nike to file a lawsuit with the Canada-based company, claiming that Lululemon was liable for patent infringement based on an application that Nike filed back in 1983, which identifies a workout device that determines a runner’s speed, calories expended, distance traveled, and time elapsed.
Nike now focuses its attention on Lululemon’s new footwear range which includes the Blissfeel, Strongfeel, Chargefeel Low, and Chargefeel Mid. Nike claims that Lululemon is liable for patent infringement as these select silhouettes share dominant traits with Nike’s Flyknit technology.
The aforementioned Lulu sneakers are workout models that are crafted with knitted fabric, made with the intention to be lightweight and flexible. These characteristics are also at the core of Nike’s Flyknit training and lifestyle silhouettes that Nike first introduced to the market in 2012.
Nike claims that the flexible material and flat-knit stitching method of the Lululemon uppers are too similar to Nike’s Flyknit process. As a result, Nike is seeking an undisclosed sum in damages and a permanent injunction, asking that the select Lululemon models be discontinued to prevent any further patent infringement.
This isn’t Nike’s first go-around in defense of its Flyknit technology, as the Swoosh has previously sued adidas, PUMA, and Skechers over the innovative patent.
Nice Kicks will continue to update this story as the case develops. For more sneaker news and release dates, follow @NiceKicks on Instagram.
