Jump Rope Systems Lawsuit
Rogue has a long history of developing innovative, high quality strength and conditioning equipment. Rogue has been awarded many patents for its inventions.
Rogue also respects the legitimate patent rights of others. When Rogue identifies inventive technology that it would like to include in the Rogue product line, Rogue fairly compensates the developers of that technology. For example, Rogue has acquired the patent rights to the innovative OSO® barbell collars and GhostTM Roller J-Cups. On the other hand, Rogue does not pay for old technology that is in the public domain.
Rogue applauds Ms. Metz’s fitness accomplishments and recognizes her efforts to sell jump ropes. Rogue has never done anything to hinder Ms. Metz or her company from developing and selling jump ropes. Rogue develops its own jump ropes and competes fairly in the marketplace.
In 2011, representatives of Ms. Metz alleged that Rogue infringed Ms. Metz’s patents. Rogue hired independent counsel to evaluate the patents. Counsel for Rogue studied old jump rope technology that predated Ms. Metz’s patents and concluded that the patents did not cover anything new. In other words, the patents should never have been issued. So, Rogue disagreed with her infringement allegations and explained why. Rogue also offered to answer questions regarding Rogue’s position, but there was no response.
Several years passed. Then, in 2018, Ms. Metz’s company, Jump Rope Systems (JRS), and its team of lawyers sued Rogue. Rogue did not want to be in a legal dispute or to challenge Ms. Metz’s patents. But Rogue was now forced to defend itself. As part of its defense, Rogue asked the US Patent Office (PTO) to review the Metz patents. With extensive involvement by JRS’s legal team, and Ms. Metz, the PTO conducted a review that lasted a year. The review involved a comprehensive investigation of old jump rope technology that existed before Ms. Metz filed for the patents. Expert witnesses from both sides provided evidence and were examined under oath. JRS’s legal team filed briefs with the PTO and Ms. Metz submitted written testimony. Rogue and JRS presented their arguments before a panel of three judges.
After reviewing the evidence, briefs, and arguments, the PTO judges determined that the patents should never have been issued and explained why in detailed written decisions: the jump rope technology in Ms. Metz’s patents already existed in the 1970s, so she could not get patents on it. A federal appeals court reviewed the PTO decisions and affirmed them. As a result, JRS’s lawsuit against Rogue was dismissed by another federal judge. That decision was also affirmed by a federal appeals court. And the U.S. Supreme Court declined to review the case.
Rogue has defended itself for years against Ms. Metz, JRS, and their legal teams. The PTO and federal courts at all levels have agreed with Rogue. Additional information about the case can be found here.
More About Rogue:
Rogue Fitness is a leading manufacturer of strength and conditioning equipment and a major distributor of top brand fitness gear and accessories from around the country. The company started in a garage in 2006 and has grown to more than 700 team members at its 600,000 sq. ft. headquarters in Columbus, Ohio. Rogue is the official equipment supplier of the CrossFit Games, USA Weightlifting, the Arnold Strongman Classic, and the World’s Strongest Man competition. Rogue remains dedicated to serving the needs of serious strength athletes at every level, from the garage to the arena.
Contact info:
Rogue Fitness HQ
545 E 5th Ave
Columbus, OH 43201
(614) 358-6190
Fax: (614) 340-7206
team@roguefitness.com