The US sportswear manufacturer Nike has filed a federal lawsuit against competitors New Balance and Skechers, accusing the two shoe companies of violating the patent law for a Nike technology.
The lawsuits, both seen by Reuters, relate to Nike’s “Flyknit” technology, which is used to make the uppers of running, soccer and basketball shoes.
Nike filed the lawsuit against New Balance in federal court in Massachusetts, saying the brand’s Fresh Foam, FuelCell and other models violated its patent rights.
Skechers also faced a similar lawsuit in Los Angeles in which Nike claimed that a number of the brand’s shoes, including Ultra Flex and Glide Step, infringed its patents. The company sought damages and an order that both New Balance and Skechers be prevented from infringing on the patents.
In a statement to Reuters, New Balance said it “fully respects the intellectual property rights of competitors, but Nike does not have the exclusive right to design and produce shoes using traditional manufacturing methods that have been used in the industry for decades “.
This isn’t the first time Nike has taken legal action over its Flyknit patents. The company had previously sued Adidas and Puma over similar claims, and these lawsuits were settled. Lululemon was also the subject of a Nike Flyknit lawsuit in early 2023, although the case is ongoing.
This translated post previously appeared on FashionUnited.uk.