While Nike recently filed a lawsuit against the American online commerce platform, Stock X, which used its brand to sell sneakers under NFT, it is back in court. Indeed, the two sportswear giants Adidas and Nike are currently engaged in a legal battle as the German brand filed a federal complaint on June 10th.
At issue is the SNKRS app and the Adapt technology of the Swoosh.
Adidas accuses the Swoosh brand of infringing some of its patents
According to the German brand, Nike has infringed nine patents related to features such as audio feedback during workouts, GPS tracking, training plans, integration with third-party accessories such as heart rate monitors, and the ability to reserve and purchase limited edition sneakers. As a result, Adidas targets the SNKRS app, the Adapt technology, but also Nike's Run Club app and Nike Training Club app.
"Adidas has long been a leader in mobile technology, including technology related to mobile fitness and mobile shopping", reports the brand during the trial. "Adidas was the first in the industry to fully bring data analysis to athletes."
Developed for the first time in February 2015, the three-stripe brand's app offers its users exclusive access to the most popular products. Additionally, it creates a fast, transparent, and secure way to acquire particularly popular products using Adidas's most innovative launch mechanisms and cutting-edge digital transaction security technologies. While Adidas Confirmed is gradually being established, Nike unveiled in May 2015, SNKRS, which uses a similar offering to the three-stripe brand.
Furthermore, Adidas also states that the Adapt system of the Swoosh brand is identical to the one they developed on the Adidas 1 in 2005. Requiring three years of development before its release, this technologically advanced sneaker provided the sportswear brand the opportunity to patent the first pair with adjustable comfort. However, Nike unveiled a Nike Hyperadapt in 2019 using Adapt, a technology that electronically adjusts to the shape of the foot to provide a perfect fit in all circumstances.
Photo Credits: Adidas
Thus, during this case, Adidas is seeking financial compensation of an “amount sufficient to compensate Adidas for the infringement of the patents in question by the defendant, but not less than a reasonable royalty, as well as interest and costs”.
The complaint was filed in a Texas district court and Adidas appears determined to obtain damages for the violation of its nine patents.