Sportswear behemoths Lululemon and Nike have reached a conclusion in their long court battle, with the latter winning by a wide margin. After determining that its rival’s sports shoes infringed upon patent rights, a federal court in New York awarded Nike US $ 355,450, according to a public verdict document.
A jury found that Nike’s “749 patent” pertaining to specific sneaker structures had been violated by Lululemon’s Chargefeel, Strongfeel, and Blissfeel running and training sneakers.
Nike received US $ 1.20 for each pair of infringing shoes sold, which is significantly less than the US $ 2.8 million the company had originally requested, which represented 5 per cent of the shoes’ total sales.
Three claims that Nike’s ‘046 patent’, which is connected to a knitted component in Lululemon’s Chargefeel shoes, were rejected by jurors. The Canadian company was therefore “pleased with the outcome of the trial, which confirmed that Lululemon did not infringe on Nike’s ‘046 patent,'” a spokesman for the brand said.
Nike’s lawyer argued that Lululemon’s entry into the footwear market was solely made possible by comparable methods used in Nike’s “Flyknit” technology. Lululemon insisted that it had not violated the patents and instead claimed to have spent four years working to get its athletic footwear for women onto the market.
Both Nike patents are presently being examined by the Patent Trial and Appeal Board. In August, the jury will render a verdict on the patent it believes to be violated, and in May, the other patent will be decided.
