Strava has initiated legal action against Garmin, targeting two of its popular features: Segments and heatmaps. The lawsuit was filed on September 30 in the US District Court for the District of Colorado, with Strava alleging that Garmin has infringed on several of its patents.
The core of Strava’s claim revolves around its Segment patent, which was filed in 2011 and granted in 2015. This patent encapsulates the functionality for GPS segments that allow users to compare their performance over specified time intervals. Garmin introduced its Segments feature in 2014 with its Edge 1000 bike computer and subsequently integrated it into other devices throughout that year. Interestingly, Garmin had previously collaborated with Strava to offer Strava Live Segments on its devices as part of a Master Cooperation Agreement (MCA), which included a stipulation that prohibited the simultaneous display of both Garmin and Strava Segments. Strava’s lawsuit alleges that Garmin has overstepped this agreement, using Strava’s implementation to create a competing system.
Additionally, the lawsuit addresses heatmap functionality, with Strava pointing to two patents filed in 2014 and 2016 that pertain to generating visual maps of user activities based on shared workout data. However, as noted by DC Rainmaker, Garmin’s heatmap feature predates Strava’s patents, existing in their devices as early as 2013. This position suggests that Garmin’s legal team could challenge the validity of Strava’s patents effectively.
Strava asserts that it has incurred significant damages due to Garmin’s alleged patent infringements, which include lost revenue, diminished competitive edge, and harm to the company’s overall goodwill. The complaints escalated following disputes between the two companies over data attribution practices and API changes that disrupted third-party app functionalities, impacting Garmin’s ability to leverage users’ data on Strava.
In its complaint, Strava seeks a permanent injunction against Garmin to halt the sale of devices that incorporate Segments or heatmap features. This would affect a substantial number of Garmin’s smartwatches and Edge bike computers. Despite the ongoing legal proceedings, Strava expressed a desire to maintain a cooperative relationship with Garmin, emphasizing the importance of mutual users.
The legal action underscores the intensity of competition in the fitness technology market and the significance of intellectual property in fostering innovation. Strava’s proactive stance indicates its commitment to protecting its innovations, setting a precedent for how digital platforms navigate collaborations and intellectual property rights moving forward.