Reebok Files Patent Infringement Action against Nike
Reebok International Ltd. files a lawsuit against Nike Inc. in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, claiming Nike infringed on a patent arising from Reebok's collapsible shoe technology. The complaint identifies several Nike men's and women's shoes that infringe upon Reebok's patented flexible sole technology, which also allows shoes to be collapsed for travel or for packaging. Infringing products include 11 different Nike shoes marketed under the "Free," "Free Flex," "Free Zen & Now," "Free Trainer" and "Free Trail" product names. The Reebok patent protects technological design features of a system that includes flexible materials in the product's sole. The suit alleges that despite Reebok's patent protection, Nike "willfully and intentionally" developed shoes that use Reebok's technology.