Puma to Adidas: Court stops running shoe dispute – SPIEGEL ONLINE

The old brother dispute has been sparked: Per injunction wanted Adidas thwart rivals Puma. It was not anything made now for the time being.

The second largest sports company in the world had its smaller rival accused of having copied a damping technology by Adidas with the running shoe NRGY. Puma countered that they had developed the shoes themselves.

This assessment has now been vindicated on this Tuesday, the Higher Regional Court of Dusseldorf – and dismissed the Adidas Suit. The Court thus upheld a ruling at first instance. It did not recognize so-called competitive characteristic of the Adidas shoe, which would have prohibited Puma to develop a similar running shoes

The bone of contention:. Shoe soles, which are composed of white foam beads. The plastic called eTPU springs particularly strong, it gives the runners allegedly returned energy.

The truth is that it was in the process to many more. To the rights to a possibly billions in future business. And old one decades competition between two global brands that barely miss an opportunity to outdo each other. (Read a detailed story in Der Spiegel from 03.26.2016. Here)

The recent conflict between Adidas and Puma reminiscent of the days of the two founders Adolf ( “Adi”) and Rudolf Dassler, the mutually downright warred. 1948 divided the fractious entrepreneurs, the “Gebrüder Dassler Schuhfabrik” in two parts. Rudolf created Puma, Adi founded Adidas. Both global corporations reside today in Herzogenaurach. And now see an opportunity to reopen the world market for running shoes.

Industry experts believe that eTPU soles should enforce the new global industry standard. Adidas already sold 2015, more than twelve million pairs of its model range called boost to rates of 100 to 180 euros. The number of customers is expected to increase further this year. But

Puma will now increasingly on the bandwagon -. And Adidas do so even more competition

“Next Steps we keep open”

The two companies worked almost simultaneously on the new damping technology, even the partners was the same at first: the chemical company BASF had produced the sole material and 2009 two rivals offered. After several years of collaboration with Puma, however, BASF decided to exclusive collaboration with Adidas. 2013 brought the three-stripe mark then her Boost series on the market

Puma found after the break of a new industrial partner BASF -. And moved in 2015 with his own model by NRGY. In contrast, however complained Adidas. For Puma thus passed the risk of having to take the new shoes in the short term from the market. This danger is now over.

“Now we have free rein to our own eTPU shoes,” said Neil Narriman, Director Intellectual Property at Puma, “now we can come to the market with further models.”

Adidas however refuses to accept the decision of the Oberlandesgericht: “Next steps we keep open and they are now investigating,” informed an Adidas spokeswoman. “We will continue to protect our rights and tackling violations.”

The options are limited. Per injunction Adidas can not stop the Puma shoe now. Group Will further litigate, he must now go to the so-called principal proceedings. Until a judgment at final instance is present, years could pass.

Puma won in any case, valuable time. The eternal rivalry with Adidas goes into a new round.