ITC bans import of leading exercise bikes over video streaming infringments
Fitness firms found to have infringed Dish Network video-streaming technology | Commission orders ban but one party insists users won't be affected.
Peloton and iFit are facing an import ban of video-streaming fitness devices after the US International Trade Commission (ITC) found that they had infringed patented technology belonging to Dish Network.
The decision was announced on Wednesday, February 8, after the ITC determined that a Section 337 violation had occurred and issued a limited exclusion order and cease and desist orders against the fitness companies.
US satellite TV company Dish Network, and its streaming service Sling TV, sued Peloton and iFit in 2021 for infringing five patents that cover video-streaming technology. This included the import of products for use with Peloton bicycles and treadmills and iFit’s NordicTrack exercise bikes. The technology improves the quality of video content streamed over the internet.
In September, ITC Chief Administrative Law Judge Clark Cheney found that Dish’s patents had been infringed. Dish also asked the ITC to block imports from the companies while the suit was ongoing, which the Commission has now agreed to after finding infringement of three of the patents.
The ITC ordered a limited exclusion order prohibiting “the unlicensed entry of infringing fitness devices, streaming components thereof, and systems containing same manufactured by or on behalf of iFit, Peloton, or any of their affiliated companies, parents, subsidiaries, or other related business entities, or their successors or assigns.” The Commission also issued cease and desist orders against iFit and Peloton.
A Peloton spokesperson told Reuters that the company was disappointed with the decision and believes it does not infringe the patents, but the ruling will “in no way disrupt service” for its users.
Peloton in the courts
Peloton has been involved in numerous other lawsuits in recent years. In September last year, the exercise bike manufacturer settled a three-year patent infringement suit with rival Echelon, with Echelon agreeing to stop using Peloton’s “leaderboard” technology in its on-demand classes.
In May of the same year, Peloton settled a suit with iFit, also over its leaderboard functionality which measures a rider’s performance against others’.
It has also been involved in high-profile lawsuits with rival athletic brands Mad Dogg and Lululemon for patent, trademark and trade dress infringements in several jurisdictions.
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