Columbia Files over Patent Infringement

Columbia Sportswear has filed a $20 million racketeering lawsuit against Seirus Innovative Accessories and Ventex Co., claiming the companies committed fraud and infringed on two of Columbia’s patents, according to reports. Columbia claims Seirus is violating two patents by using reflective fabric in its products that is similar to Omni-Heat, and when Seirus was barred from filing petitions to have the patents reviewed with the patent office, it conspired with Ventex Co. to have them file the petitions on Seirus’ behalf. Ventex filed the patent review petitions saying it was the only party-in-interest.