Nike Lawsuit Accuses PUMA of Stealing Swoosh Technology
aren't pleased with . The sporting whale is going after the relative minnow for stealing their technology, or rather: ‘[forgoing] independent innovation’. The states that PUMA have looked over Nike’s shoulder and lifted their Flyknit, Air and cleat designs.
Specifically under fire are PUMA sneakers using IGNITE Proknit and technologies. Though the latter calls to mind adidas more than anything, Nike say its ‘fluid-filled bladder’ is a direct rip of their famed Air cushioning. With Proknit, Nike gets sassier. They say that ‘industry commentators’ (they mean sneaker bloggers, right?) noted that the textile was just ‘PUMA’s attempt to join “the knit craze” that Nike created,’ and go on to show a bunch of examples that allegedly support their claims.
With trends homogenising designs, claiming intellectual property in the sneaker world is tricky. Like for trying to monopolise knit tech, it’s likely this case will have no real impact. Although, as suggest, this could be more of a strategic move on Nike’s part to use up competitor resources. PUMA’s CEO is already unsure of the brand's ability to generate revenue growth in 2018, and Nike might be doing their damnedest to make it even harder for them.