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 sportswear behemoth moved to sue Lululemon, claiming the athleisure brand infringed on its 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, all of which debuted just last year, allegedly 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.

This isn’t the first time Nike and Lululemon have battled it out in court. Just last year in January, Nike sued the brand, alleging its at-home workout Mirror system and mobile apps infringed on six Nike patents. Nike sought triple in damages then, while the latest amount remains underwraps.

Lululemon’s latest case joins Nike’s lengthy thread of legal battles, including those with BAPE and John Geiger.

Nonetheless, some fresh BAPE STAs just hit the streets today, courtesy of SSENSE.