Sneaker Wars: adidas Sue Nike Over Alleged App and Tech Infringements
The never-ending contest between and is continuing in the courtroom, as the Three Stripes have sued the Swoosh over the alleged infringements of its apps and sneaker technology. More specifically, adidas are claiming Nike’s SNKRS app and Adapt technology infringes nine patents held by the German brand, which includes the Confirmed app and adidas_1 shoes.
In the filed on June 10, adidas are specifying that Nike have infringed firstly on the Confirmed app and the unique functionality that it brought to buying sneakers online when it was launched in 2015. Nike announced and released SNKRS mere days after adidas Confirmed.
Furthermore, adidas have also taken aim at other Nike digital apps, including the Run Club and Training Club, which provide targeted athletic advice and performance measurement. The Three Stripes claim they have a history of data-driven products and services that spans almost 40 years, among those which was the adidas_1 shoe from 2005 that adjusted cushioning levels in real time.
According to the brand, their combination of data supplementation and electronically responsive footwear has been infringed by Nike with the above apps and their Adapt line of shoes, which was debuted in 2019.
In filing this lawsuit, adidas seek ‘damages in an amount sufficient to compensate…for the defendant’s infringement’ and to permanently prevent Nike from further infringements if ruled in their favour.
This isn’t the first case of adidas versus Nike: in , the two went back and forth over their respective Primeknit and Flyknit technologies.