JOOLA sues over paddle technology, intensifying pickleball patent battle

JOOLA has turned its propulsion-core technology into the newest flashpoint in pickleball’s equipment wars, and that matters far beyond one company’s sales pitch. The North Bethesda, Maryland-based brand filed a patent infringement action with the U.S. International Trade Commission on April 7, aiming at what it says is unauthorized use of its proprietary paddle design. For players deciding what to buy, pack or rent this season, the biggest takeaway is simple: the premium paddle market is no longer just about feel, spin and pop, it is also about legal exposure.

The complaint reaches across a wide slice of the industry. Reports on the filing named 11 defendants: Franklin Sports, Proton, RPM Pickleball, Engage Pickleball, Friday Labs, Diadem Sports, Facolos, ProXR Pickleball, Paddletek, Adidas Pickleball and Volair. That lineup signals a dispute that goes well beyond a single flagship model. It also means the brands most likely to show up in demo bins, retreat pro shops and rental inventories are now tied to a fight over who owns the most advanced power-building technology in the game.

JOOLA says the case is about protecting a propulsion core it spent years researching, developing and testing. Richard Lee said the company’s goal is to make sure the investment, creativity and engineering behind the technology are rewarded. For players, that kind of fight can show up in very practical ways. If the ITC case leads to pressure on imports, redesigned lines or slower releases, prices can move, certain models can become harder to find, and some retailers may hesitate before stocking a paddle that sits near the center of a legal dispute.

The timing adds another layer. USA Pickleball said in May 2024 that it de-listed certain JOOLA paddles after JOOLA told the organization it had submitted the wrong paddles for certification. In June 2024, USA Pickleball said JOOLA intended to submit additional paddles for certification. The group also said its enhanced PBCoR testing standard would roll out in Q4 2024 to measure paddle power and limit the trampoline effect. That history shows how tightly certification, performance limits and market access now overlap.

For retreat players who want dependable gear, the safest path is increasingly the least dramatic one: models with stable certification, broad retail support and fewer question marks around the core tech inside the face. JOOLA’s filing is not just another brand spat. It is another sign that the paddle in your bag can be shaped by court feel, rule testing and now patent risk all at once.