Nautilus, Vancouver, Washington, filed a patent infringement lawsuit against ICON Health & Fitness, Logan, Utah, on Monday in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington.
Nautilus alleges that ICON is using Nautilus' patented variable stride technology, according to the complaint filed May 23. Nautilus cited ICON's FreeStride FS7i model marketed with an "auto adjustable stride" as an example of the alleged infringement, according to the complaint. (Read the complaint at the bottom of this page.)
John Ohrt and James Duncan invented a variable stride device around 2001 and joined Nautilus after the company acquired the invention from Stairmaster, Ohrt's and Duncan's former employer, according to the complaint.
“Nautilus has valuable intellectual property rights, and we take steps to enforce those rights," Wayne Bolio, senior vice president of law and human resources, Nautilus, said in a statement sent to Club Industry. "We will continue to do what is necessary to protect and vigorously defend our intellectual property and proprietary technology of our brands.”
ICON Health and Fitness did not immediately respond to a Club Industry request seeking comment for this story.
Nautilus details four counts of alleged patent infringement in the complaint and has requested a jury trial. The company is seeking judgment in favor of the four alleged patent infringements; judgment in favor of Nautilus finding Icon's infringement was willful; a judgment in favor of Nautilus finding this case is exceptional; an award of monetary relief to the fullest extent, including increased damages, prejudgment and post judgment interest, and Nautilus costs and attorney fees; permanent injunction against further alleged infringing activity by ICON and those who receive notice of the injunction; and other relief the court deems just and proper.