JOOLA has announced significant progress in its ongoing legal campaign to protect its proprietary Propulsion Core technology, reporting that seven of the 11 pickleball paddle brands targeted in its April patent infringement lawsuits have reached settlements or consented to judgment. While the company views these resolutions as a validation of its intellectual property, several major manufacturers remain in active litigation or have failed to respond to the court's proceedings.
Status of the Patent Litigation
The core of the dispute involves JOOLA’s patented paddle construction method, which is utilized in its professional-grade equipment, including the 3S, 3S Dual, Pro IV, and Pro V models. JOOLA maintains that it invested years into the research and development of this technology and is now enforcing its rights against competitors who allegedly copied the design without authorization.
The following seven companies have reached agreements or consented to judgment with JOOLA:
- Paddletek: Agreed to pay royalties to JOOLA and include the relevant patent number on affected products while phasing them out of production.
- ProXR: Like Paddletek, this brand agreed to pay royalties and label their products with JOOLA’s patent number while transitioning away from the technology.
- Proton: Reached an agreement to pay royalties and sell off remaining inventory, provided the paddles are marked with JOOLA’s patent number and a "Powered by JOOLA" label; manufacturing of the impacted models has been discontinued.
- Volair: Has reached a resolution with JOOLA, though specific financial or licensing terms were not disclosed.
- Engage Pickleball: Has reached a resolution with JOOLA, though specific financial or licensing terms were not disclosed.
- All Racquet Sports/All For Padel: The licensee for Adidas pickleball paddles has reached a resolution, though specific terms were not disclosed.
- Facolos: Has reached a resolution with JOOLA, though specific financial or licensing terms were not disclosed.
Despite these developments, the litigation is not yet fully resolved. RPM Pickleball is actively contesting the claims, while Franklin Sports and Friday Labs have remained largely silent regarding the matter. Most notably, Diadem Sports has reportedly failed to respond to the litigation entirely, leading JOOLA to request that the court enter a default judgment against the company.
JOOLA CEO Richard Lee stated that these eight resolutions serve as a clear signal that the company’s intellectual property is protected and that they intend to continue defending it. The broader legal battle continues, as the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) has yet to issue a final determination regarding the infringement allegations against the remaining respondents.
