Adidas files lawsuit against Nike for patent infringement

Adidas has sued Nike for allegedly infringing its patents by launching similar mobile applications and footwear technology. This marks the first time Adidas has filed a federal lawsuit against Nike, and follows Nike's lawsuit against Adidas last year.

The German sportswear brand has asked the court for an unspecified sum of damages and an order to stop Nike from infringing its patents.

The lawsuit, filed in East Texas federal court, alleges that Nike's Run Club, Training Club and SNKRS mobile apps, as well as its Adapt system for adjusting the fit of a sneaker, violates nine Adidas patents for monitoring fitness.

Adidas claims that Nike's Adapt system, which loosens or tightens shoelaces based on the shape of a wearer's foot, infringes on a patent connected to its Adidas_1 sneaker, which it claims is the "world's first intelligent running shoe".

The business further claims that Nike's exercise apps infringe on its patents, which includes location-based run tracking, audio feedback on performance, and a system for creating a training plan. Adidas says that millions of users have downloaded its training and running apps, which it first started launching in 2008.

Lastly, the company said that Nike's SNRKS app, which sells limited-edition shoes, infringes on a patent that is connected to confirming the authenticity of a potential buyer.

Nike filed a lawsuit against Adidas last year, suggesting that the German footwear company's “Primeknit” technology infringed on its patented “Flyknit” technology. In 2005 Nike had also sued Adidas in East Texas for violating two patents related to shoe design, with both companies agreeing to dismiss the case in 2007.