While Peloton continues to assert their rights to patented inventions, competitors like Flywheel contend that Peloton simply took the next logical step in the industry. And after Flywheel challenged Peloton’s patents, the Patent Trial and Appeal Board found reason to institute a trial on three of Peloton’s patents.
According to Bloomberg reporting, the questions raised about Peloton’s patents concerned whether Peloton’s claimed inventions were “obvious” in the context of existing innovations, and whether they actually invented something patentable or simply identified a consumer need and then filled it.
Another argument is that the patented inventions themselves are not actually the cause of Peloton’s success in the industry, rather their success can be attributed to effective marketing of their industry innovations.
To prove the validity of their patents, Peloton would have to provide evidence that they added something new to what existed. Peloton ultimately triumphed over Flywheel’s patent challenges.
Limiting fair competition?
Peloton has demonstrated they’re ready to go after competitors whom may infringe on their patents. Flywheel may have settled out of court, but the cases against Echelon and Icon Health & Fitness are still ongoing.
