Nike’s Flyknit technology is designed for running, soccer and basketball shoes. Credit: Domino on Unsplash.

US brand NIKE has filed federal lawsuits against New Balance and Skechers for infringing the patents directed towards its “Flyknit” technology.

The Flyknit technology, which is designed for running, soccer and basketball shoes, leverages high-strength fibres to offer lightweight uppers with targeted areas of support, breathability and stretch.

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The technology allows it to make high-performance uppers with reduced materials and waste, the lawsuits said.

The lawsuit against New Balance was filed in Massachusetts Federal Court and against Skechers in the US District Court of California.

In its complaint, Nike has accused the two brands of misusing its Flyknit technology on several of their athletics shoes and sneakers.

New Balance’s Fresh Foam, FuelCell and other lines, as well as Skechers shoes, including Skechers’ Ultra Flex and Glide Step brands, have infringed on its patents.

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In its lawsuit against New Balance, Nike said: “New Balance has infringed, and continues to infringe, the asserted patents by making, using, selling, offering to sell, and/or importing the infringing products in this district and elsewhere in the United States without the consent or authorisation of Nike.”

New Balance reportedly denies the allegation made by Nike.

Reuters quoted the company as saying that it “fully respects competitors’ intellectual property rights, but Nike does not own the exclusive right to design and produce footwear by traditional manufacturing methods that have been used in the industry for decades”.

Nike demanded an unspecified amount of money damages and court orders that would permanently prevent the two companies from infringing the patents.