Adidas sports shoes (in a shop in Berlin 2016)
Photo: HANNIBAL HANSCHKE / REUTERS
The US federal agency ITC is examining whether Adidas can continue to sell its "Primeknit" shoe models in the USA.
The International Trade Commission (ITC) has initiated an investigation at the request of rival Nike, the authority said.
For years, the US rival has accused the sporting goods manufacturer from Herzogenaurach of violating one of its patents with the popular sports shoes.
Nike therefore calls on the complaint filed with the ITC in December to ban the import of these models.
Almost ten years ago, Nike and Adidas launched their “Flyknit” and “Primeknit” shoes, which are knitted from melted yarns, on the market at almost the same time.
Since then, the dispute about the models has been simmering.
At the same time, the Americans are pursuing a lawsuit against Adidas for patent infringement.
Nike accuses Adidias of violating its rights to "Flyknit" technology, a "novel method" of designing and manufacturing upper materials that enables Nike to create shoes with exceptional performance, design and aesthetics while reducing material and waste .
Adidas, on the other hand, claims that the "Primeknit" shoes come from their own research and development.
jso / Reuters