Adidas Drags Nike To Court For Copying Their Smart Shoes

Adidas is suing Nike over claims that the shoe brand infringed on its patents with its mobile application and shoe-fitting technology.

The lawsuit, filed in Texas, claims that Nike’s Run Club, Training Club, and SNKRS mobile apps and Adapt systems infringe on nine Adidas patents for exercise monitoring and its “intelligent footwear” system.

Features copied reportedly include audio feedback during workouts, GPS tracking, and the creation of training plans.

Adidas also alleged that the Adapt system, which automatically tightens shoelaces, infringes a patent that puts it on automatically adjusting shoe cushioning, Reuters report.

Nike’s “auto-lacing” sneakers were released alongside the Mag, a shoe that came out in 2016.

Adidas claims that the Adapt violates adidas_1, which it says was the first shoe to ever “feel and accommodate the comfort of a shoe while it’s wearing it”—it came out in 2005.

Adidas also claims that the Confirmed app — which gives customers access to exclusive sneaker releases — was copied by Nike when it launched its SNKRS app.

“Adidas has long been a leader in mobile technology, including technology related to mobile fitness and mobile purchases,” the lawsuit states. “Adidas was the first in the industry to widely bring data analytics to athletes.”

Adidas is seeking “damages in an amount sufficient to indemnify Adidas for the defendant’s violations,” as well as a permanent injunction against Nike. complex report,

This isn’t the first time Adidas and Nike have had a legal dispute. In 2006, Nike claimed that Adidas scrapped those designs, making its trainers look like they were balanced on smaller springs.

If Adidas wins, it could have implications for other apps like Strava and RunKeeper, which also use GPS route-tracking features, and ledge reports, as well as in companion apps for fitness trackers like Garmin and Polar.