Performance Apparel Markets - Grado Zero Espace Srl

Performance Apparel Markets, 1st quarter 2006
Business update
PATENT AND TRADEMARK DISPUTES
Nike has filed a complaint
against Adidas-Salomon
over its use of Nike’s Shox
technology
Nike claims Adidas is
using Nike’s technology
for the Adidas a3
cushioning system
NIKE SUES ADIDAS OVER SHOX PATENT INFRINGEMENT
Global sportswear giant Nike has filed a legal complaint against its
rival Adidas-Salomon in the USA. The complaint concerns products
that infringe Nike’s Shox cushioning technology, which is protected
by 19 separate patents.
The Adidas products listed as infringing Nike’s patented technology
are those which use the Adidas a3 cushioning system—including the
company’s computerised shoe, Adidas 1. Nike claims that Adidas has
built these shoes using Nike’s technology.
TRADE FAIRS AND CONFERENCES
ISPO held its winter
trade fair in Munich in
January 2006
There was a 13%
increase in exhibitor
numbers
Visitor numbers were
up by 10%, and 60%
came from outside
Germany
The industry was in a
euphoric mood and has
high expectations for
2006
The main focus was on—
—safety, products lines,
Nordic fitness,
innovations, mountain
lifestyle, and electronics
and technology
ISPO WINTER 2006
ISPO (International Trade Fair for Sports Equipment and Fashion)
held its winter trade fair at the New Munich Trade Fair Centre in
Germany from January 29 to February 1, 2006.
The fair attracted a record 1,806 exhibitors from 49 countries. This
figure represented a 13% increase on the number of exhibitors at the
fair compared with the previous year.
Visitor numbers rose too. Over 60,000 trade visitors attended the fair,
representing a 10% increase compared with 2005. Around 60% of the
trade visitors were from countries other than Germany. Significant
increases in visitor numbers were seen from East European countries
as well as from Austria, France, Italy, Spain, and Switzerland.
Against a backdrop of record exhibitors and visitors, ISPO reported
that the sports equipment and fashion industry was in a euphoric
mood. The industry has high expectations for 2006, especially with an
eye on the two big sporting events—the Winter Olympics in Turin and
the FIFA World Cup in Germany.
The main points of focus for ISPO winter 2006 were on the following
topics:
● safety;
● product lines especially for women;
● Nordic fitness;
● technological innovations in skiing and snowboarding;
● mountain lifestyle fashion collections; and
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