New Balance Wins Pause in Nike Patent Fight Over Flyknit Tech

Nike Inc.’s lawsuit over New Balance Athletics Inc.’s alleged infringement of its patented Flyknit sneaker technology is on hold until August as an administrative tribunal reviews the validity of six patents.

The Patent Trial and Appeal Board’s decisions on six of the case’s nine patents “may considerably simplify” the dispute over 61 models of New Balance sneakers, Judge Julia E. Kobick wrote in an order issued June 6 in the US District Court for the District of Massachusetts. She granted New Balance’s request for a stay until Aug. 9, by when the PTAB’s decisions are expected.

• “The slight prejudice that ...