Nike sues Adidas-Salomon

The world's largest sporting goods company Nike has sued the world's number two Adidas-Salomon for allegedly infringing upon its patented Shox cushioning technology. Nike had filed a legal complaint against Adidas-Salomon in a Texan court stating that the infringing products include shoes using Adidas' a3 cushioning system, including the new Kevin Garnett signature shoe and Adidas_1 footwear.

"Nike is widely recognized for its product innovation in footwear and athletic products and they invest heavily to provide performance products to their consumers," said Eric Sprunk, vice president, Global Footwear Nike, Inc. "It is deeply frustrating and inappropriate when companies borrow or refashion such technologies as their own without making similar investments." The Shox cushioning technology debuted in 2000 and is protected by 19 separate patents. According to Nike it took 16 years to develop. "Nike often reinvests its revenues into research and development of such new products. Understandably, Nike and its shareholders cannot allow infringement to occur unchallenged.