In the latest development in an emerging feud between Lululemon and Peloton, Lululemon on Monday filed a patent lawsuit against Peloton claiming that the company has infringed on Lululemon’s intellectual property. Earlier this year, Peloton announced its own athletic apparel line, and now things are heating up in what looks like will be a legal battle between the two brands.
Peloton previously had partnerships with other apparel brands, including Lululemon, but now it’s a direct competitor after developing its own apparel collection. Peloton launched its private label apparel line, aptly named Peloton Apparel, in September, though its move into the world of athleisure dates back further than that.
According to CNBC, shortly after the launch, Lululemon’s lawyers sent correspondence to Peloton stating that the company would sue unless Peloton stopped selling the collection. They argued that several of Peloton’s items, including various sports bras and leggings, infringe on Lululemon’s patent designs.
In response, Peloton filed a lawsuit on Nov. 24 asking for a court declaration stating that it has not infringed on any patents. The company claims that its merchandise in no way mimics Lululemon’s designs.
Peloton is suing Lululemon. The athleisure co. sent Peloton a C&D w/the below images claiming violations of its design patents & trade dress. The two had had a co-branding relationship until recently. I'm thinking Peloton did the right thing bringing the declaratory action. #IP pic.twitter.com/PcuGvjfgii
— Christine Haight Farley (@Prof_Farley) November 28, 2021
“On top of the numerous clear and obvious differences in design, Peloton and Lululemon’s brands and logos are also distinctive and well-recognized, making confusion between products a virtual impossibility,” Peloton said in the lawsuit.
It appears Lululemon will not back down easily, with this latest lawsuit filed just days later as reported by CNBC. In the suit, filed on Nov. 29, Lululemon states it is seeking injunction against Peloton’s infringement of its intellectual property rights and is also asking for damages and other monetary relief.
At the time of writing, Peloton has declined to comment on the latest happenings, but it appears that the legal battle is anything but over.
“Peloton did not spend the time, effort and expense to create an original product line,” Lululemon said in the lawsuit. “Instead, Peloton imitated several of Lululemon’s innovative designs and sold knock-offs of Lululemon’s products, claiming them as its own.”
