The JOOLA Patent Lawsuit — What It Means for Your Paddle

Last updated: April 26, 2026

11 brands sued. Your existing paddle is fine.

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On April 7, 2026, JOOLA filed patent infringement litigation with the International Trade Commission (ITC) against 11 paddle brands, alleging unauthorized use of JOOLA's Propulsion Core technology. If you currently own a paddle from one of the named brands, your existing equipment is not affected. The case targets future imports, not past purchases.

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What happened

On April 7, 2026, JOOLA — the brand behind Ben Johns' signature paddle line — filed a patent infringement complaint with the U.S. International Trade Commission. The complaint alleges that 11 competing paddle brands have copied JOOLA's patented Propulsion Core technology.

JOOLA describes Propulsion Core as the "U-shaped" perimeter foam construction that adds controlled flex to the paddle's interior, creating spring-like energy return. JOOLA introduced this in the 3S, MOD TA-15, Pro IV, and Pro V paddle lines.

Which brands are named

Franklin Sports
Proton Sports
RPM Pickleball
Engage Pickleball
Friday Labs
Diadem Sports
Facolos
ProXR Pickleball
Paddletek
Adidas Pickleball
Volair

What does the ITC filing mean?

The ITC has authority to block imports of products found to infringe U.S. intellectual property rights. Unlike federal court, the ITC does not award monetary damages — its remedy is exclusionary. This means if JOOLA wins, the named brands could be prohibited from importing infringing paddles into the U.S. market. For brands that manufacture overseas (which is essentially all of them), this would be devastating.

JOOLA has also indicated they're filing companion suits in federal court to preserve the option of seeking damages later.

Does this affect my existing paddle?

No. If you currently own a paddle from one of the 11 named brands, the lawsuit does not affect your existing equipment. You can continue playing with your paddle, and warranty obligations from the brand are not impacted by the ITC filing. The case targets future production and imports, not past purchases.

What's NOT included

The lawsuit specifically targets paddles with the "U-shaped" perimeter foam construction. Some Gen 3 paddles use foam that runs all the way around the core — those paddles are not included. For example, the Selkirk Era Power uses full perimeter foam and is not part of the litigation. This distinction matters because it shows the case isn't about all foam-perimeter paddles — it's about a specific construction style JOOLA claims to have patented.

Should I avoid buying paddles from named brands?

Existing paddles are unaffected — buy what plays best for your game.
Litigation moves slowly — even if JOOLA wins, it takes 12-24 months to resolve.
Warranties remain in effect — brands continue supporting existing customers.
Brand-specific risks vary — smaller brands with less legal resources face more risk than Adidas.

Bottom line

The JOOLA lawsuit is a major industry story but not an immediate concern for individual buyers. Your existing paddle is fine, your warranties are still valid, and even if JOOLA wins, resolution is likely 12+ months away. Focus on choosing a paddle that plays well for your game, and let the lawyers sort out the patent claims.

This article is informational journalism, not legal advice. PaddleReviewHub takes no position on the merits of the litigation.