Paddle makers JOOLA and Paddletek Group have reached a settlement in a patent-infringement lawsuit over Propulsion Core technology. Under the agreement reached on May 14, 2026, Paddletek and ProXR will begin paying royalties to JOOLA and will phase out three targeted paddle models by fall 2026. This is a follow-up to theJOOLA simultaneous suit against 11 companiesreported on June 2, marking the first settlement to be reached.
The specific terms of the settlement—three models targeted, phased out by fall
The paddles covered by the settlement are three models: the Paddletek Reserve, HoneyFoam, and ProXR Signature Jolt. These were said to use the “Propulsion Core” technology for which JOOLA holds patents.
The agreement rests on three pillars. First, Paddletek and ProXR will list JOOLA’s Propulsion Core patent numbers on the targeted paddles. Second, both companies will pay ongoing royalties to JOOLA. Third, they will end manufacturing and sales of the targeted paddles by fall 2026.
For Paddletek Group, the impact is limited to part of its product lineup, and many of its flagship products fall outside the scope of the settlement.
Just two weeks after the June 2 suit against 11 companies—the background to the swift turn
JOOLA has pursued a lawsuit through the International Trade Commission (ITC) alleging infringement of its Propulsion Core technology patents. As of the time this site reported on June 2, there were 11 defendants, including Proton, Diadem, RPM, Adidas Pickleball, Engage, Facolos, Franklin, Friday, Volair, and Paddletek/ProXR.
With this settlement, Paddletek and ProXR drop out, leaving nine remaining defendants. By setting a “settlement precedent,” JOOLA may be able to negotiate more advantageously in the remaining lawsuits.
Comparison of settlement terms
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Settlement date | May 14, 2026 |
| Companies targeted | Paddletek、ProXR |
| Paddles targeted | Paddletek Reserve / HoneyFoam / ProXR Signature Jolt |
| Royalties | Ongoing payments (amount undisclosed) |
| Patent number listing | Required on the targeted paddles |
| Sales-end deadline | Fall 2026 |
| Number of remaining defendant companies | 9 companies |
Statements from both CEOs—“We respect intellectual property”
JOOLA CEO Richard Lee said, “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.”
Ron Saslow of Paddletek Group responded, “We take intellectual property protection seriously and rely on it in our own business with a multitude of our own patents and trademarks.”
Both sides issued comments emphasizing “respect for intellectual property,” giving the impression that they chose a practical resolution before the litigation turned into a quagmire.
Impact on the Japanese market—a factor in choosing a paddle
For Japanese pickleball enthusiasts, the direct impact of this settlement is limited. However, players using the Paddletek Reserve or ProXR Signature Jolt need to keep in mind that these models may become hard to obtain from fall 2026 onward.
In addition, the fact that JOOLA’s Propulsion Core technology has been established as a patent sets a precedent that, in future product development, will force each maker to choose between accelerating the development of proprietary technology or entering a licensing agreement with JOOLA. It is a settlement that could shape the direction of technological innovation across the entire paddle market.
The remaining nine lawsuits—the tectonic shift in the paddle industry continues
The Paddletek/ProXR settlement may be no more than the “first domino.” The lawsuits against the remaining nine companies JOOLA is fighting through the ITC—Proton, Diadem, RPM, Adidas Pickleball, Engage, Facolos, Franklin, Friday, and Volair—are still ongoing.
Now that the settlement terms have set a precedent of “royalty payments plus a phased end to sales,” it is highly likely that similar terms will be offered to the other defendant companies. How major brands like Adidas Pickleball respond in particular will shape the industry’s structure going forward.
The full picture of the litigation
| Category | Company name | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Settled | Paddletek、ProXR | Agreed on royalty payments |
| Litigation ongoing | Proton | Under ITC review |
| Litigation ongoing | Diadem | Under ITC review |
| Litigation ongoing | RPM | Under ITC review |
| Litigation ongoing | Adidas Pickleball | Under ITC review |
| Litigation ongoing | Engage | Under ITC review |
| Litigation ongoing | Facolos | Under ITC review |
| Litigation ongoing | Franklin | Under ITC review |
| Litigation ongoing | Friday | Under ITC review |
| Litigation ongoing | Volair | Under ITC review |
Summary
The settlement between JOOLA and Paddletek/ProXR has set a “precedent” in the first major patent lawsuit in the pickleball industry. The terms of royalty payments and a phased end to sales become a benchmark for the remaining nine defendants as well. The paddle market has grown into a business worth hundreds of millions of dollars a year, and it has entered an era in which the ownership of technology patents holds the key to competition. Whether JOOLA can secure similar results in the remaining lawsuits is an important juncture that will foreshadow where the industry is headed.
Source:
Pickleball.com – JOOLA, Paddletek Group Settle Patent Dispute
Related articles:
JOOLA sues 11 rivals at once for patent infringement—the full story of the “Propulsion Core” paddle war
Jill Zarin in a bitter lawsuit with a co-owner at paddle-testing firm Pickle Pro Labs—the inside of the certification business
Apollo x Dundon Pour $225 Million into the Pickleball Industry -- A Massive Ecosystem with a $750 Million Enterprise Value Is Born
