A few weeks ago I got an email from adidas PR announcing the adidas Primeknit running shoe. Included in the email was a link to the following video:
The Primeknit is clearly intended to capitalize on the buzz created by Nike’s release of the Nike Flyknit – both shoes are unique in that they sport a knit, one-piece upper:
Not surprisingly, the similarity between the shoe designs has led to a standoff between the companies. Nike claims that the Primeknit is a copy of the Flyknit and thus infringes on their patent, and sought an interim injunction to prevent adidas from making or selling the Primeknit in Germany. This temporary injunction was granted, and Nike is now seeking a permanent injunction.
As reported on The Oregonian, a Nike spokesman stated: “Nike has a strong heritage of innovation and leadership in footwear design and development…Our patents are the foundation of that leadership and we protect them vigorously.”
adidas claims the Primeknit has been in development for three years. It’ll be interesting to watch how this battle between shoe giants plays out!
About Peter Larson
I predict this will play out like the Apple/Samsung battle. A huge waste of money on lawsuits. Clearly Nike invented knitting, just like Apple invented the rectangle.
Yeah, next up Nike sues my Mom for knitting my 2 year old son a sweater.
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Pete Larson’s Web Links:
My book: Tread Lightly – link to ow.ly
Blog: https://runblogger.com
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Only the lawyers win in cases like this. Patent system needs a serious reform.
If Adidas makes a Whateverknit with the sole and fit of the Hagio, then I’m buying. If they do as Nike did and only use that tech for their higher-drop racers (Adios), then move on, please. Local Nike-sponsored athletes weren’t too happy with the Flyknit, either – most don’t chose to race it in the end.
Also, why compete with this knit upper when they have the Gazelle’s amazing lycra-ish material? If they chose to actually market it as seriously as Nike hypes their Flyknit (and Flywire before), they could also get more buzz going.
I agree – a Hagio with a knit upper would be very nice, the upper is my only problem with that shoe as it is rough internally. Also agree about the Gazelle – upper on that shoe is fantastic!
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Pete Larson’s Web Links:
My book: Tread Lightly – link to ow.ly
Blog: https://runblogger.com
Twitter: link to twitter.com
Facebook: link to facebook.com…
the primeknit uses the midsole unit of the 6-mm-drop adizero takumi sen: http://blog.runningwarehouse.c…
Pete, do you think that you’ll be doing a review of the Nike Flyknit Racer?
Probably not, most Nike’s are too narrow for me.
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Pete Larson’s Web Links:
My book: Tread Lightly – link to ow.ly
Blog: https://runblogger.com
Twitter: link to twitter.com
Facebook: link to facebook.com…
“Clearly intended”? Adidas couldn’t have just come up with a knitted shoe in four months after Nike launched in February to be slightly ahead in the ‘ermehgerd knitted shoe’ stakes.
Adidas was interviewed by someone and the said they’ve had this in the works for 4 years, and it would be impossible to come up with that technology in the span of when nike released their first knitted shoes.
link to counterkicks.com…
Personally I don’t care for nikes running (I also think they are too narrow, but also I just don’t like nike for multiple reasons) i have ran in some great adidas shoes though.