Arnold & Porter Secures Patent Litigation Win for Nike

Arnold & Porter secured a patent litigation victory for Nike Inc. in the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. The long-running case was decided in Nike's favor after 12 years.

A competitor filed a patent suit against Nike in the US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. The competitor alleged Nike infringed a utility patent directed to golf clubs, particularly golf clubs designed to help golfers avoid "hook shots" by shifting weight in the club head. At the District Court, Nike successfully argued the asserted claims of the patent were invalid due to indefiniteness. The District Court granted summary judgment of invalidity in Nike's favor. The competitor appealed. The Federal Circuit affirmed in favor of Nike on February 10, 2021.

Intellectual Property partners Christopher Renk and Michael Harris led the Arnold & Porter team.