- Strava is suing Garmin for allegedly infringing on several patents.
- These patents are primarily related to segments and heatmaps.
- Strava wants Garmin to cease offering products that utilize these patents.
Even the strongest partnerships face challenges occasionally, and that’s certainly the case with two fitness industry giants. Fitness platform Strava is suing hardware maker and one of its biggest partners, Garmin, over alleged patent infringements. Strava also wants Garmin to stop selling products that may utilize these patents, which would include a slew of its fitness watches, cycling computers, and the Garmin Connect app.
The lawsuit, first reported by fitness industry veteran DC Rainmaker, focuses on two primary features utilized by both companies: segments and heatmaps. Segments allow users to compete against others and themselves within sections of a given route. Breaking down longer routes encourages users to hit more manageable targets across a more extended training session or race. Heatmaps, meanwhile, display areas and routes that users traffic heavily, effectively highlighting popular training areas. This is an excellent feature for those seeking regular and safe cycling or running routes, or simply as a social feature.