The battle for pickleball supremacy isn't just happening on the court—it is also playing out in the legal arena. JOOLA has announced that eight of the eleven companies named in its April patent lawsuit have now reached a resolution, while three defendants remain involved in active litigation.
Key Points of JOOLA's Patent Offensive
- JOOLA's Propulsion Core technology is at the centre of its ongoing patent dispute.
- Eight of the eleven companies named in the lawsuit have now reached a resolution with JOOLA.
- Franklin Sports, RPM Pickleball, and Friday Labs remain involved in active litigation.
- The case highlights the growing importance of intellectual property protection as pickleball equipment technology continues to evolve.
The Heart of the Dispute: Propulsion Core
At the centre of the legal dispute is JOOLA's Propulsion Core technology, a paddle design feature first introduced in 2024. The company claims the technology was copied without authorisation, leading it to pursue action through both the U.S. International Trade Commission and federal court.
The Propulsion Core has become a key part of JOOLA's paddle range, appearing in models including the 3S, Pro IV, and Pro V. According to JOOLA, the technology was developed through years of research and testing, making protection of its intellectual property an important part of its strategy as the sport continues to grow.
Eight Companies Reach Resolution
Eight companies named in the April lawsuit have either settled with or consented to JOOLA. They include Paddletek, ProXR, Facolos, Proton, Volair, All Racquet Sports/All For Padel—a licensee of Adidas pickleball paddles—and Engage.
Diadem, meanwhile, has not responded to the lawsuit, with JOOLA seeking a default judgment against the company. The developments leave Franklin Sports, RPM Pickleball, and Friday Labs as the three remaining defendants facing active litigation.
JOOLA chief executive Richard Lee said, “Eight resolutions is a clear signal that our IP is real, it’s protected, and we intend to keep it that way.”
What the Propulsion Core Means for JOOLA
The Propulsion Core sits at the centre of JOOLA's paddle technology strategy, with the company maintaining that its development represents significant research and engineering work.
For JOOLA, the dispute is therefore about protecting the technology behind its products as much as it is about commercial interests. The case also comes as manufacturers continue to develop new paddle technologies to meet the demands of an increasingly competitive pickleball market.
What the Settlements Could Mean
The settlements reached so far have reportedly involved royalty payments to JOOLA, halting new production of disputed paddles, and acknowledging JOOLA's patent rights concerning remaining stock.
The developments could have wider implications for the pickleball equipment industry, where manufacturers are investing heavily in paddle design and performance technology. As the sport continues to expand, intellectual property disputes such as this one could become increasingly important in determining how new equipment innovations are developed and protected.
With eight of the eleven companies now having reached a resolution and Franklin Sports, RPM Pickleball, and Friday Labs still facing active litigation, the next stage of JOOLA's patent campaign will be closely watched across the pickleball industry.
