US judge dismisses Peloton's lawsuit against lululemon

Peloton’s lawsuit against lululemon has been dismissed by the US courts. The American exercise equipment company, Peloton, sued lululemon last November in Manhattan federal court, claiming that lululemon’s initial claims through a cease and desist letter on Peloton copying its designs had no merits. Lululemon initially sent a cease and desist letter threatening to sue Peloton unless the company stopped selling five women’s bra and legging products.

According to lululemon's initial cease and desist letter, as well as the counter lawsuit, Peloton's strappy bra, high neck bra, cadent peak bra, cadent laser dot bra, and cadent laser dot leggings infringed its patents. In dismissing Peloton’s lawsuit, the decision probably means the litigation will continue in Los Angeles.

In a decision made by the federal court in Manhattan, the court dismissed the lawsuit and said the case "is clearly an anticipatory action that warrants dismissal." 

The dispute between these two companies started after Peloton launched its private-label apparel brand in September this year. The product launch came after the end of a five-year co-branding relationship between lululemon and Peloton which started 2016.

According to Peloton's lawsuit, the termination of the Peloton-lululemon co-branding relationship was "amicable" and lululemon did not object in any way to Peloton’s termination decision, or Peloton’s offering of its own active wear apparel.

The partnership kicked off in 2016 when Peloton recognised a consumer appetite for products featuring its brand. As such, it began partnering with other active wear apparel companies, such as lululemon, to offer co-branded products. With the co-branding partnership with lululemon, Peloton sold a variety of lululemon apparel products co-branded by Peloton. Peloton said it would purchase lululemon products wholesale, after which Peloton would send the lululemon products to a separate printer to add Peloton’s branding. The co-branded products would then be sold by Peloton.

Related articles: 

Peloton removes recent Chris Noth ad after sexual assault allegations surface
‘And Just Like That’ Mr. Big is alive again in new Peloton ad with a twist
Lululemon and Peloton in legal feud over 'copycat' products
Lululemon sets up digital store on JD.com
Brand spotlight: Why lululemon, with its new running shoes, should resist the pressures of mass appeal