A shock ran through the pickleball paddle market. On April 7, 2026, citing unauthorized use of its patented Propulsion Core technology, JOOLAFranklin Sports、Adidas Pickleball、Engage Pickleball、Paddleteksued 11 paddle makers at once at the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC). It is the largest intellectual property lawsuit ever in the pickleball industry, and it has escalated into a situation where the very definition of a “Gen 3 paddle” is being called into question.
Overview of the suit: who are the 11 companies?
The 11 companies JOOLA sued are as follows.
- Franklin Sports
- Adidas Pickleball
- Engage Pickleball
- Paddletek
- Proton Sports
- RPM Pickleball
- Friday Labs
- Diadem Sports
- Facolos
- ProXR Pickleball
- Volair
Worth noting is the fact that this list does not includeSelkirk. Selkirk’s latest “Era Power” series has a full-coverage design that covers the entire core with foam and differs technically from the “U-shaped perimeter foam structure” JOOLA takes issue with, so it is excluded from the suit. Meanwhile,Diademandthe core technologies of each companyhave come under direct scrutiny.
The point of contention: what is Propulsion Core technology?
Propulsion Core is a patented technology JOOLA brought to market in 2024 as a “Gen 3” paddle. Whereas conventional pickleball paddles were made of a polypropylene honeycomb core alone, Propulsion Core places EVA foam in a horseshoe shape (U-shape) in the upper half of the core. This gives the paddle’s hitting surface a controlled, “diving-board”-like elasticity, allowing powerful drives and speed-up shots without increasing swing speed.
JOOLA achieved great commercial success with product lines featuring this technology, including the Hyperion and Perseus series, as well as the MOD TA-15, 3S, 3S Dual, Pro IV, and Pro V.Ben JohnsAs many top pros, including these players, used Gen 3 paddles, the technology quickly came to be recognized as the “standard for power paddles.”
Why sue now—behind two years of “silence”
JOOLA announced its Gen 3 paddle in 2024. In the roughly two years since, many makers in the industry have released, one after another, paddles adopting a similar U-shaped perimeter foam structure. According to The Kitchen’s reporting, in just two years the Gen 3 paddle transformed from “JOOLA’s exclusive innovation” into an “industry standard.”
On this two years of silence, JOOLA CEO Richard Lee commented in an official statement that “this is not a reflexive reaction but a principled decision.” He emphasized that the patent examination and registration process took time and that the suit was filed only after giving competitors the “opportunity to develop their own technology.”
Lee went on to say, “Protecting innovation is not about restricting others’ activities. It is about ensuring that the investment, creativity, and engineering needed to move this sport forward remain sustainable.”
What filing at the ITC means—not just a claim for damages
JOOLA’s choice of the ITC (International Trade Commission) as the venue carries great strategic significance. Unlike the federal courts, the ITC is a body with the authority to issue orders to block the “import into the United States” of patent-infringing goods. In other words, if JOOLA wins, the paddles of the 11 defendants could be physically excluded from the U.S. market.
Pickleball paddles are in many cases manufactured at factories in China or Taiwan. A win at the ITC has the power to halt imports into the U.S. from these factories themselves, so it could be more damaging to the defendant companies than monetary damages in federal court.Combined with the tightening of paddle testing being advanced by USA Pickleball,quality control and IP protection in the paddle industry are drawing attention at an unprecedented level.
Ripples through the industry—what is the impact on players?
This lawsuit will not immediately affect ordinary players. Paddles already purchased will not become unusable, andunder the 2026 USAP rulesas well, the patent status of the paddle you use is not subject to regulation.
In the medium to long term, however, the following effects are expected.
Higher paddle prices
If defendant companies agree to pay licensing fees, those costs are likely to be passed on to product prices. The price range of Gen 3 paddles, currently mostly 150 to 250 dollars, could shift upward.
Accelerating technical differentiation
If the U-shaped foam structure can no longer be used, each company will have to develop its own core technology. Approaches different from Propulsion Core, like Selkirk’s full-coverage foam or Carbon’s thermoforming technology, will likely increase.The weight balance of paddlesand their feel should also diversify further going forward.
Barriers to entry for emerging brands
For emerging brands that entered the market by “imitating” Gen 3 technology, the cost of license negotiations or in-house development becomes a barrier to entry. In some cases, brands without financial strength may be forced to withdraw from the market.
Reactions from the 11 defendant companies
According to The Kitchen’s reporting, the outlet sought comment from all 11 defendants but stated that “as of the time of publication, no response had been obtained from any of the companies.” Franklin Sports had just announceda major deal between world No. 1 Anna Leigh Waters and Nike,and how the company responds to JOOLA’s suit is drawing attention across the whole industry.
What happens next
ITC proceedings usually take 12 to 18 months. Whether JOOLA will also sue in federal court in parallel is not clear at this point, but given its official statement that it is seeking protection through a comprehensive IP portfolio including “utility patents, design patents, trademarks, and copyrights,” there is ample possibility that additional legal action will be taken.
As pickleball continues its rapid growth, the IP war over paddle technology will likely intensify further. What innovation will emerge after Gen 3—this lawsuit throws that question at the entire industry.
FAQ
Q. Will the Gen 3 paddle I currently own become unusable?
No, paddles you have already purchased are unaffected. The lawsuit concerns manufacturing, importing, and selling; personal use is not covered. Use in tournaments is also fine as long as your USAP approval remains valid.
Q. If JOOLA wins, will I no longer be able to buy other companies’ Gen 3 paddles?
If the ITC issues an import-blocking order, imports of the affected paddles into the U.S. could be prohibited. However, if each company signs a license agreement or changes its design to develop non-infringing products, sales can continue.
Q. Why is Selkirk not being sued?
Selkirk’s latest “Era Power” series adopts a full-coverage design that covers the entire core with foam, which differs technically from the U-shaped perimeter foam structure JOOLA claims in its patent.
Sources
- The Dink Pickleball – JOOLA Files Patent Infringement Case Against 11 Paddle Brands
- PR Newswire – JOOLA Files to Protect Patented Propulsion Core Technology
- The Kitchen – JOOLA Pickleball files patent infringement lawsuit against competitors
- Bloomberg Law – Pickleball Paddle Maker Accuses Rivals of Infringing Patent
