VISTA, CA (BRAIN)—When Electra received a patent for its Flat Foot technology last summer, it put the industry on notice it would protect this patent. In December it filed a patent infringement suit against Trek over its Pure and Cruiser bikes.
“Our supply of bikes will not be impacted and our dealers can continue to sell bikes with confidence,” said Bob Burns, Trek’s general counsel. Burns would not comment further.
While Electra filed the suit in Northern California district court, it has not served Trek with the suit. Discussions between the two companies are ongoing as they try to resolve the dispute out of court.
Electra claims Trek’s Pure, Pure Lowstep, Pure Sport, Pure Sport Lowstep, Pure DLX, Pure DLX Lowstep, Cruiser Classic, Classic Deluxe, Calypso and Cruiseliner bikes infringe on co-founder Benno Baenziger’s Flat Foot technology, patent #7,740,262. It is seeking compensation for damage to its business caused by Trek’s infringing models.
The Flat Foot patent covers a range of geometry, seat tube and head tube angles intended to create a forward pedaling ride position. Electra introduced the design in its Townie line of bikes in 2003 and later added it to its Cruiser and Amsterdam lines.
—Matt Wiebe
mwiebe@bicycleretailer.com
