Nike Faces Allegations That It Copied Its Pocket-Bra Design From Small Brand

It turns out a convenient pocket iconically located on the back of Nike sports bras may have been copied from a small fashion brand. In a recent lawsuit, SherryWear LLC alleged that the sportswear giant took its design after its founder, Sherry Goff, submitted it online.

According to the Florida-based boutique, at the time of submission, the design had already been issued some patents, with others pending. The suit documented that Nike rejected Goff’s design back in 2017, though it filed a patent for a similar “bra with storage pockets” just months later.

In particular, SherryWear pointed out that Nike’s Swoosh Pocket Bra and Swoosh on the Run bras, both of which feature compartments at the back for athletes to store items while exercising, infringed on the original design.

“Nike has never had authority to use, offer, sell, or import any product or assembly covered by the Pocket Bra Patents or actively induce others to do so,” the lawsuit read.

“By continuing to engage in commercial activities described in this complaint, Nike is knowingly, deliberately, and intentionally infringing the Pocket Bra Patents,” it continued.

It remains unclear if SherryWear will emerge victorious in this instance, though, as per Reuters, the brand is asking for an unspecified amount of monetary damages in compensation for the breach.

[via Footwear News and Reuters, images via Nike]