Columbia, Seirus Settle Long-Running Design Patent Suit

By Editorial Team

Columbia Sportswear has agreed to a settlement to bring an end to its long-running infringement suit against rival Seirus Innovative Accessories Inc. over a clothing design patent, after a U.S. Patent and Trademark Office examiner upheld the patent last month.

The settlement marks the conclusion of a legal battle that has spanned several years, with both companies engaged in litigation over the design patent. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s decision to uphold the patent likely influenced the parties’ decision to settle the dispute.

Details of the settlement agreement between Columbia Sportswear and Seirus Innovative Accessories Inc. have not been disclosed publicly. However, the resolution of the case will bring closure to the ongoing legal dispute and allow both companies to focus on their respective business operations.

The case, which was pending in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California, involved the design patent D657,093 for a heat reflective material. The legal teams representing the parties included Fish & Richardson and Schwabe Williamson.

Both Columbia Sportswear Co. and Seirus Innovative Accessories Inc. have expressed satisfaction with the resolution of the dispute and look forward to moving past the legal challenges to continue serving their customers in the competitive sportswear market.