PORTLAND, Ore. — Nike Inc. on Wednesday filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Adidas AB, alleging the rival sneaker maker has been using Nike’s knitted footwear technology without permission.
Nike (NYSE: NKE) also requested that the U.S. International Trade Commission begin an investigation against Adidas, based on its “unlawful and unauthorized importation” and sale of products that infringe on Nike’s patents protecting its Flyknit technology.
Nike’s lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Portland, describes Flyknit as one of its “game-changing technologies,” resulting from more than a decade of research and development and hailed as “the most groundbreaking sneaker innovation in over 40 years.”
Adidas said it is analyzing the complaint and will defend itself against the allegations.
