U.S. International Trade Commission Starts Investigation on Pickleball Paddles

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Complaint Filed

The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) has announced a new investigation. This started with a complaint filed on April 7, 2026. The complaint came from Sport Squad, Inc., also known as JOOLA, located in North Bethesda, Maryland.

Allegations Made

Sport Squad’s complaint is about pickleball paddles. They believe some companies are importing these paddles into the United States incorrectly. They say these paddles infringe on two of their patents. These patents are numbered 12,465,826 and 12,357,891.

Sport Squad says that the paddles being imported use their patented technology without permission. This goes against section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930. They have requested the ITC to start an investigation. They want to find out if these companies have broken the law.

Companies Involved

Many companies are named in this investigation. They include Franklin Sports, Inc., Proton Sports, Inc., Vegas Pickleball LLC, Engage Pickleball, LLC, and many others. These companies are located in various states including Massachusetts, Arizona, and Florida.

What Sport Squad Wants

Sport Squad wants the ITC to take serious action. They have asked for a limited exclusion order. This would stop the importation of these paddles. They also want cease and desist orders. This would make the companies stop the sale of these paddles in the United States.

Important Dates

The ITC has ordered an investigation as of June 4, 2026. The companies accused have 20 days to respond. They must follow the specific rules set by the ITC. If they do not respond in time, they might lose their chance to fight these claims.

Conclusion

This case is important for the pickleball industry in the United States. It involves patent rights and the legality of importing certain products. The ITC will now make decisions based on the investigation to see if the law was broken.

For more details, all information about this case can be accessed on the ITC’s docket site.

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