Global pickleball equipment maker JOOLA has escalated its fight over paddle technology by filing patent infringement lawsuits against 11 manufacturers, alleging unauthorized use of its proprietary “propulsion core” innovation. The legal action, announced on 7 April 2026, targets companies across the pickleball equipment industry and underscores rising tensions over intellectual property as the sport experiences rapid global growth.
The case places JOOLA at the center of a widening debate in the pickleball manufacturing sector over innovation ownership and competitive design standards. According to the company, the propulsion core technology is a patented engineering advancement that has significantly influenced modern paddle performance and is now widely associated with high-level competitive play. JOOLA claims that protecting this system is essential to preserving both product integrity and the long-term development of the sport.
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The lawsuit argues that years of research, testing, and development underpin the propulsion core design, which JOOLA says has helped shape not only paddle construction but also the broader evolution of pickleball as it expands internationally. The company maintains that safeguarding such innovations is necessary to ensure that original engineering efforts are recognized and not replicated without authorization.
The 11 brands named in the litigation include: Adidas Pickleball (via All Racquet Sports LLC and All For Padel SL), Franklin Sports (specifically the C45 line), Paddletek (Reserve/HoneyFoam models), Engage Pickleball (Alpha Pro models), Diadem Sports (Icon Infinity and BluCore), Volair (Shift model), ProXR Pickleball (Jolt model), Proton Sports (Flamingo model), RPM Pickleball (Friction Pro), Friday Labs (Fever 102), and Facolos (EliteX).
JOOLA has stated that the move is also part of its broader effort to counter what it describes as counterfeit and imitation products circulating in the market. The company argues that such practices weaken product quality standards and diminish the overall playing experience for athletes. By pursuing formal litigation, JOOLA is signaling a more aggressive stance against what it views as unauthorized replication of its technology.
Speaking on the legal action, JOOLA Chief Executive Officer Richard Lee emphasized the company’s position on innovation and competition in the sport. “Protecting our innovation is not about limiting what others can do – it is about ensuring the investment, creativity, and engineering required to advance this sport are rewarded,” he said. He added that the future of pickleball will depend on companies that prioritize original development rather than imitation.
Industry observers note that the case highlights growing commercial stakes within pickleball, which has rapidly expanded across regions and demographics in recent years. As equipment performance becomes increasingly central to competitive advantage, intellectual property disputes are emerging as a defining issue for manufacturers.
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JOOLA also argues that true competition should extend beyond gameplay into product innovation, encouraging brands to invest in new technologies that enhance performance and evolve the sport. While the litigation may create friction among paddle makers, the company frames it as a necessary step to protect innovation as the industry matures.
As the legal process unfolds, the outcome could establish important precedent for how patent rights are enforced in pickleball’s fast-growing equipment market, potentially shaping the future direction of paddle design and technological development across the sport.
