Helmet manufacturers embroiled in patent dispute

American football helmet manufacturer Schutt Sports and has sued rival Riddell for patent infringement.

The case, which was filed on Thursday, May 18 at the US District Court for the Eastern District of Texas Marshall Division, alleged that Riddell had infringed three of Schutt’s patents.

The three patents involved are US numbers 6,434,755; 9,498,014; and 8,499,366.

In the complaint, Schutt said that it had been injured and damaged by Riddell’s infringement of the patents.

It added that it would continue to be harmed until the district court enjoins the production of the helmets.

Riddell responded to the allegations in a  press release: “Plaintiffs’ recycled allegations ignore the more than 15 years of work by Riddell, government agencies, football organisations, sports leagues, schools, industry groups and others to advance concussion awareness.”

The company added: “Overt lawyer self-promotion and meritless litigation like this harms not only good organisations like Riddell, it harms the game of football and the many millions of participants whose lives have been enriched by the benefits of sports participation.”

Schutt has asked the court for a ruling in its favour. It has also asked that Riddell should be enjoined from selling its helmets.

The company has further asked the court for an award of damages, as well as a jury trial.