ITC bans Peloton and iFit fitness devices over patent infringement

Video-streaming fitness equipment from Peloton and iFit is not allowed to be imported into the US.

When an internal court determined that Peloton Interactive Inc. and iFit Inc.’s video-streaming workout equipment had violated Dish Network Corp.’s patents, the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) has prohibited their importation. Dish and Sling TV, a division of the company, filed the case in 2021, stating that Peloton and iFit had violated four patents relating to video-streaming technology by importing items that transmit at-home workout content.

When President Joseph Biden’s administration has examined the import restriction within 60 days, it will go into force. It is uncommon for presidents to undo such decisions, though. When the 60-day review period has passed, the parties involved may also appeal ITC findings to the Federal Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals, which hears cases involving patents.

Dish had also sued Lululemon Athletica Inc. in a related action regarding the Mirror video-streaming gadget, but the two parties ended their legal dispute in February. The judge determined that the streaming-capable items from Peloton, Lululemon, and iFit violated patents covering Dish’s Hopper set-top boxes. According to Dish, its patents cover adaptive bitrate streaming technology, which enables consumers to watch material in real-time “at the greatest possible quality” from anywhere in the globe. The technology was created by Move Networks Inc. and purchased by Dish in 2012, according to court documents.