Knitted trainers a sign of the future

Sportswear manufacturers own a lot of patents, but rarely sue each other. "It's just like the car industry here," says a German patent lawyer. "Generally they cross-license, settle or learn to live with the infringement. It is not litigious." A case between Nike and adidas might see that change in the sportswear industry. Both companies sell a shoe made with a knitted upper part to it – to increase flexibility and reduce the number of seams needed. Nike introduced its first, the Flyknit, at the beginning of 2012 and adidas followed a few months later with the Primeknit.

Nike sued adidas in Germany for infringing a European patent covering the knitting process (which involves melting the polymer material slightly), and won an ex parte injunction in September. That was lifted the following month, though Nike says it will continue with the case.

As sportswear companies begin to include more technology in their products – including innovative materials, chemical compounds and apps that analyse your workout – this could prove to be the first battle in a long patent war.

This case was selected as one of Managing IP’s Cases of the Year for 2012.

To see the rest, click on one of the cases below.

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Canada: Ambiguous claims can invalidate patents

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First FRAND cases litigated worldwide

Monsanto loses in Brazil

Data exclusivity backed by Mexican courts

China: A shift over OEM manufacturing

Authors in the US able to reclaim joint copyrights

Germany: Knitted trainers a sign of the future

India: Financial Times loses trade mark