JOOLA, Paddletek Settle Patent War, Reshaping Pickleball's Future

NORTH BETHESDA, MD – May 13, 2026 – In a significant development for the embattled pickleball equipment industry, legacy brand JOOLA and rival Paddletek Group have reached a settlement in a high-stakes patent infringement dispute. The agreement, announced today, resolves all claims JOOLA brought against Paddletek and its affiliate ProXR Pickleball before the International Trade Commission (ITC) just last month, marking the first major resolution in a legal battle that still ensnares nine other paddle manufacturers.

The settlement brings a swift end to one front of a wider conflict initiated by JOOLA to protect what it claims is its proprietary paddle technology. While the terms of the agreement are confidential, the resolution will see Paddletek and ProXR add JOOLA's patent number to the affected products, pay royalties, and phase out the current models by the fall. The move signals a major validation of JOOLA's intellectual property claims and sends a powerful ripple through a market grappling with explosive growth and fierce competition.

A Swift Resolution in a Widening Conflict

The dispute, which JOOLA filed with the ITC on April 7, 2026, centered on specific products: the Paddletek Reserve, its HoneyFoam™ technology, and the ProXR Signature Jolt paddle. JOOLA alleged these products infringed upon its patents for “Propulsion Core Technology,” a design that has become central to the latest generation of high-performance paddles.

In a joint statement, both companies framed the resolution as a positive outcome rooted in mutual respect. "We are grateful Paddletek and ProXR Pickleball chose to resolve this matter in a spirit of mutual respect," said Richard Lee, CEO of JOOLA. "This is what principled competition looks like. Both companies have deep roots in this sport and we appreciate their willingness to acknowledge JOOLA's Intellectual Property."

This sentiment was echoed by Ron Saslow, CEO of Paddletek Group. "We take intellectual property protection seriously and rely on it in our own business," Saslow stated, noting his company holds numerous patents and trademarks. "We are pleased to have worked with the team at JOOLA cooperatively to reach a fast resolution on these disputed claims that allows us to stay focused on what matters most—supporting our consumers, our distributors, and our world-class athletes." Saslow added that the dispute "involves a limited portion of our products," and that the company plans to launch new products outside the contested technology.

However, this amicable resolution stands in stark contrast to the ongoing legal storm. The settlement with Paddletek Group does not affect the ITC litigation against the remaining nine respondents, which include industry giants like Franklin Sports, Adidas, and Diadem Sports. JOOLA has made it clear it intends to "vigorously" pursue those cases.

The Technology at the Heart of the Dispute

The core of the conflict lies in U.S. Patents 12,465,826 and 12,357,891, which protect JOOLA’s "Propulsion Core Technology." This innovation, central to its popular Gen 3 paddles, involves a unique construction where the paddle's inner honeycomb core does not extend to the edge. Instead, a gap is created and filled with a specialized foam.

This design allows the core to flex upon impact, creating what the company describes as a "catapult effect" that generates explosive power for aggressive shots while simultaneously providing a soft feel for more delicate control plays. This foam-perimeter architecture, sometimes referred to as a "U" shaped foam channel, has been widely adopted and is seen as the defining feature of the "Gen 3" paddle category that has dominated the high-performance market since 2024.

Paddletek’s Reserve HoneyFoam™, launched in early 2026, was a significant product for the company, marking its first major entry into foam-based core construction and featuring a three-foam architecture that appeared to mirror the principles of JOOLA's patents. Similarly, the ProXR Signature Jolt paddle was marketed with a "Perimeter Ring System" of dual foam rings, placing it squarely in the crosshairs of JOOLA's legal action. The willingness of Paddletek Group to settle and pay royalties suggests a strong acknowledgment of the validity and scope of JOOLA's patent claims.

A Precedent for the Pickleball Patent Wars?

This settlement is the first domino to fall in what is shaping up to be the pickleball industry's largest-ever legal battle over intellectual property. By pursuing a two-track approach—filing for an import ban with the fast-moving ITC and simultaneously suing for damages in federal court—JOOLA has applied maximum pressure on its competitors. An exclusion order from the ITC could block allegedly infringing paddles, most of which are manufactured in Asia, from entering the U.S. market, a potentially crippling blow for any brand.

The rapid settlement with a major, respected competitor like Paddletek serves as a powerful precedent. It demonstrates that JOOLA's legal threats carry significant weight and that settling may be a more palatable option than a protracted and expensive legal fight with an uncertain outcome. The remaining nine defendants—including Franklin Sports, Engage Pickleball, and Volair—are now undoubtedly re-evaluating their own legal strategies in light of this development.

"Pickleball is built on innovation, and innovation only thrives when it is protected," JOOLA's CEO Richard Lee stated, reinforcing his company's position. This aggressive stance is seen by some as a necessary step to mature a rapidly professionalizing sport, and by others as a move that could stifle competition by walling off a key technological advancement.

Navigating a Booming and Contentious Market

The legal maneuvering is taking place against the backdrop of a market in hyper-growth. With participation soaring past 30 million players globally and the equipment market projected to exceed $428 million by 2033, the stakes for manufacturers are incredibly high. The pickleball paddle market alone was valued at over $336 million in 2024, and every company is fighting for a larger piece of the pie.

In this environment, technological innovation is a key differentiator. JOOLA, leveraging its long history in table tennis, has invested heavily in R&D to establish itself as a leader in the pickleball space. Its legal strategy can be seen as a calculated effort to protect that investment and solidify its market position as the creator of the "Gen 3" paddle.

For consumers, the immediate impact is the phasing out of the Paddletek Reserve HoneyFoam™ and ProXR Signature Jolt paddles in their current forms. While existing paddles are unaffected, future availability is now curtailed. The broader consequence of the ongoing litigation could be a shake-up in the paddle market, potentially leading to a temporary reduction in product variety if the ITC rules in JOOLA's favor, followed by a wave of new, non-infringing designs from competitors. This landmark settlement is more than just a resolution between two companies; it is a defining moment that will shape the trajectory of innovation, competition, and the very equipment used in the world's fastest-growing sport for years to come.