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8h ago

Strava Sues Garmin as Branding Dispute Puts Run Uploads at Risk

The case meshes patent claims with a fight over Garmin’s new attribution rules that Strava says could sever device syncing.

Runners check their watches after crossing the finish line of the New York City Marathon, Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023. Some runners, including those running the 2025 New York City Marathon on Nov. 2, are concerned that a new lawsuit between smartwatch company Garmin and fitness-tracking app Strava could affect their user experience.
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Overview

  • Strava filed a Sept. 30 lawsuit in Colorado alleging Garmin infringed its ‘segments’ and ‘heatmap’ patents and breached a written cooperation agreement.
  • Strava’s chief product officer says Garmin threatened to cut off API access unless Strava accepts guidelines requiring Garmin’s logo on every activity post, with a claimed Nov. 1 deadline.
  • Automatic syncing between Garmin devices and Strava remains available for now, though Garmin has declined to comment and users are voicing concern ahead of major marathons in Chicago and New York City.
  • Strava is seeking more than damages, asking the court for injunctions that could bar sales or require changes to Garmin features if infringement is found.
  • The stakes are large, with Strava citing over 170 million users globally and Garmin reporting 18.6 million devices sold in 2024, while a separate Suunto patent suit in Texas adds pressure on Garmin.