Days After BAPE, Nike Sues Lululemon Over Sneakers, Too
Only five days after seeking legal action against BAPE, Nike zeroes on its next target: Lululemon.
On January 30, the Swoosh moved to sue Lululemon, claiming that the Canadian athleisure brand infringed Nike's patented sneaker designs.
Specifically, Nike named Lululemon's Chargefeel Mid, Chargefeel Low, Blissfeel, and Strongfeel shoes as at least four silhouettes which infringe on intellectual property relating to Nike's FlyKnit technology — allegations also brought upon PUMA, adidas, and Skechers in the past.
Basically, Nike claims Lululemon's footwear violates patents relating to textile elements — the knit features and webbed details — and performance.
Lululemon's shoes have apparently brought "economic harm" and "irreparable damage" to Nike's brand, or so the Oregon-based sportswear claims.
“Nike’s claims are unjustified, and we look forward to proving our case in court,” a Lululemon spokesperson said in a statement.
Lululemon's sneaker line debuted in 2022, lead by the Blissfeel shoe in women's sizes. Lululemon is set to launch men's footwear in 2023.
This isn't the first time Nike and Lululemon have battled it out in court over patent infringement.
Just last January, Nike sued Lululemon for the first time, alleging that its at-home workout Mirror system and mobile apps infringed on six Nike patents.
Nike's legal team has sought triple the damages in the ongoing case but Lululemon asked the judge overseeing the case to put the proceedings on hold almost immediately after Nike filed suit over the Lululemon sneakers.
This case over Lululemon is only the latest episode in Nike's lengthy history of legal battles, including those with BAPE and designer John Geiger.
Nonetheless, some fresh BAPE STA sneakers just hit the streets in late January courtesy of SSENSE.
