Reebook Files Suit Versues Nike Alleging Patent Infringement
Published: Thursday, April 05, 2007
By Liza Casabona NEW YORK —
Reebok International Ltd., a subsidiary of Adidas International, has filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Nike over alleged infringement of its collapsible shoe technology. According to documents filed on April 3 in federal court in the Eastern District of Texas, Reebok alleged that a number of Nike's products infringed on a patent Reebok obtained in January. The Nike products Reebok complained about in its suit are "Free," "Free Flex," "Free Zen & Now," "Free Trainer" and "Free Trail." The Reebok patent protects the technological design features of its collapsible shoes, which include flexible materials in the sole.
I feel that it is only right for Reebok to be able to protect their shoe technology patent. If Nike is allowed to patent their Air Max design, Reebok should be able to patent their new collapsible shoe design. I feel that it is important for companies to protect their designs, in order to keep a good brand image. If every other company is doing what your company is doing, you may lose brand equity from your customers. Equity= Value, so if your company has nothing special to set it apart from others, your company won't be able to gain customer loyalty. I feel strongly that companies have the right to protect their copyrights, in order to protect their brand.
Lauren Parolin
By Liza Casabona NEW YORK —
Reebok International Ltd., a subsidiary of Adidas International, has filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Nike over alleged infringement of its collapsible shoe technology. According to documents filed on April 3 in federal court in the Eastern District of Texas, Reebok alleged that a number of Nike's products infringed on a patent Reebok obtained in January. The Nike products Reebok complained about in its suit are "Free," "Free Flex," "Free Zen & Now," "Free Trainer" and "Free Trail." The Reebok patent protects the technological design features of its collapsible shoes, which include flexible materials in the sole.
I feel that it is only right for Reebok to be able to protect their shoe technology patent. If Nike is allowed to patent their Air Max design, Reebok should be able to patent their new collapsible shoe design. I feel that it is important for companies to protect their designs, in order to keep a good brand image. If every other company is doing what your company is doing, you may lose brand equity from your customers. Equity= Value, so if your company has nothing special to set it apart from others, your company won't be able to gain customer loyalty. I feel strongly that companies have the right to protect their copyrights, in order to protect their brand.
Lauren Parolin
posted by Licensing 3 @ 9:00 AM
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