The JOOLA lawsuit story is really three overlapping legal fights: a $200 million suit the Maryland-based paddle maker filed against USA Pickleball in June 2024 after its Gen 3 paddles were pulled from the approved equipment list, a countersuit USA Pickleball filed in April 2025 accusing JOOLA of a “bait-and-switch” during certification, and a separate consumer class action settlement covering Gen 3 buyers. On top of all that, in April 2026 JOOLA opened a fourth front by suing eleven rival paddle brands for patent infringement at the U.S. International Trade Commission and in federal courts.
The Gen 3 Fight With USA Pickleball
The dispute started in May 2024, when USA Pickleball removed JOOLA’s Gen 3 line from its Approved Equipment List. USA Pickleball said JOOLA had submitted the “wrong samples” during a November 2023 certification-by-similarity process, so the paddles reaching store shelves were not structurally identical to the ones tested. Follow-up samples failed third-party testing and were never recertified.1USA Pickleball. USA Pickleball Statements on De-Certified JOOLA Paddles and Equipment Testing Standards The Gen 3 paddles have been ineligible for sanctioned tournament play ever since.
On June 12, 2024, JOOLA sued USA Pickleball in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland, seeking $100 million in compensatory damages and $100 million in punitive damages.2Forbes. USA Pickleball Continues to Make News in 2024 JOOLA argued the Gen 3 paddles complied with every published rule.3JOOLA. JOOLA Gen3 Update Public Statement It also pointed to Rule 2.F.1 of USA Pickleball’s Equipment Standards Manual, which requires eighteen months’ notice before revoking equipment approval, and accused the governing body of using biased and inconsistent testing methods.4Pickleball.com. USA Pickleball Fires Back, Files Countersuit Against JOOLA USA Pickleball’s motion to dismiss failed, and the case moved forward.
On April 18, 2025, USA Pickleball hit back with its own suit against Sport Squad, JOOLA’s parent company. The countersuit alleged JOOLA submitted toned-down, compliant samples for certification in 2023 and then mass-produced versions containing significantly more foam, creating an illegal trampoline effect while continuing to sell the paddles under the organization’s official approval stamp. USA Pickleball is seeking compensatory damages with treble enhancement, disgorgement of JOOLA’s profits, punitive damages, a declaration that JOOLA misrepresented its paddles as approved, and attorney’s fees.4Pickleball.com. USA Pickleball Fires Back, Files Countersuit Against JOOLA The organization called the filing “a necessary measure to defend USA Pickleball’s Intellectual Property and to safeguard the long-term health and integrity of the sport.”5USA Pickleball. A Statement From USA Pickleball on the Countersuit Filed Against JOOLA Both suits remain active.
The Consumer Class Action Settlement
Gen 3 buyers had their own case. Matus v. Sport Squad, Inc. (Case No. 24-cv-60954-DSL), filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, alleged JOOLA “falsely and misleadingly advertised its Gen 3 Paddles as being approved by USA Pickleball Association.”6PR Newswire. Do You Own a JOOLA Gen 3 Pickleball Paddle
A proposed settlement covered all U.S. residents who own a JOOLA Gen 3 paddle and had not previously accepted JOOLA’s voluntary return offer. Class members who filed a claim and returned the paddle could choose one of two options: a $300 cash refund with proof of purchase from an authorized retailer, or a one-time $150 gift code for JOOLA.com without proof of purchase. Attorney’s fees were capped at $790,000.7ClassAction.org. Matus v. Sport Squad, Inc. Settlement Agreement The claim deadline was December 15, 2025, and a final approval hearing was set for January 27, 2026.6PR Newswire. Do You Own a JOOLA Gen 3 Pickleball Paddle Kroll Settlement Administration ran the claims website.8Sport Squad Paddle Settlement. Sport Squad Paddle Settlement
The Patent Campaign Against Eleven Paddle Brands
On April 7, 2026, with the Gen 3 fights still unresolved, JOOLA filed a patent infringement complaint at the U.S. International Trade Commission against eleven competitors: Franklin Sports, Proton Sports, RPM Pickleball, Engage Pickleball, Friday Labs, Diadem Sports, Facolos, ProXR Pickleball, Paddletek, Adidas Pickleball (through All Racquet Sports and All For Padel), and Volair.9PR Newswire. JOOLA Files to Protect Patented Propulsion Core Technology Against 11 Paddle Brands Two days later, on April 9, JOOLA filed parallel federal lawsuits against the same eleven companies across six judicial districts.10ipfray.com. Pickleball Patent Wars: JOOLA Launches Paddle Patent Infringement Campaign Against 11 Rivals in ITC, District Courts
The Patents
Both patents are owned by Sport Squad and titled “Game Paddle.” U.S. Patent No. 12,357,891 was filed January 17, 2025 and issued July 15, 2025.10ipfray.com. Pickleball Patent Wars: JOOLA Launches Paddle Patent Infringement Campaign Against 11 Rivals in ITC, District Courts U.S. Patent No. 12,465,826 was also filed January 17, 2025, carries a priority date of August 30, 2023, issued November 11, 2025, and expires in 2043.11Pickleball.com. JOOLA’s Patent Lawsuit Means More for Pickleball Than You Think
The technology, which JOOLA calls “propulsion core,” uses a honeycomb core that stops short of the paddle’s perimeter, leaving a gap filled with foam or another material. That filler connects the core to a frame around the edge, letting the core flex on contact for what JOOLA describes as a “catapult effect” that adds power while reducing vibration.12The Dink Pickleball. JOOLA Files Patent Infringement Case Against 11 Paddle Brands The claims are written broadly, cover partial implementations, and are material-agnostic, so they could reach a wide range of high-performance paddle designs.11Pickleball.com. JOOLA’s Patent Lawsuit Means More for Pickleball Than You Think
The ITC Investigation
On June 4, 2026, the ITC formally instituted Investigation No. 337-TA-1503, finding the complaint sufficient to proceed under Section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930.13Federal Register. Certain Pickleball Paddles; Notice of Institution of Investigation JOOLA is asking for a limited exclusion order to bar the accused paddles from being imported into the United States and cease and desist orders against the respondents. Because most pickleball paddles are manufactured in China, an exclusion order would carry significant commercial weight.10ipfray.com. Pickleball Patent Wars: JOOLA Launches Paddle Patent Infringement Campaign Against 11 Rivals in ITC, District Courts An administrative law judge will hold an evidentiary hearing and issue an initial determination; investigations of this kind typically run eight to fifteen months.11Pickleball.com. JOOLA’s Patent Lawsuit Means More for Pickleball Than You Think In the parallel federal cases, JOOLA is seeking financial damages, including treble damages for willful infringement, and permanent injunctions.
Early Settlements
Paddletek Group and ProXR Pickleball settled first. JOOLA announced on May 13, 2026 that both had agreed to add JOOLA’s propulsion core patent number to their affected products, pay royalties, and phase out the Paddletek Reserve, HoneyFoam, and ProXR Signature Jolt by fall 2026.14JOOLA. JOOLA and Paddletek Group Settle Patent Dispute Proton Sports settled by May 18, 2026.11Pickleball.com. JOOLA’s Patent Lawsuit Means More for Pickleball Than You Think Eight companies remain in active litigation on both tracks.
What It Could Mean for Paddle Buyers
Because the propulsion core patents describe a structural relationship between core, perimeter gap, and filler without naming specific materials, they could cover a broad swath of current high-performance paddles, including designs commonly called Gen 3, Gen 4, and full-foam builds. If JOOLA prevails broadly, competing brands would need to license the technology, redesign their paddles, or leave the market. Industry observers expect royalty costs to be passed to consumers, narrowing the gap between premium and budget paddles, with smaller brands hit hardest.11Pickleball.com. JOOLA’s Patent Lawsuit Means More for Pickleball Than You Think
JOOLA CEO Richard Lee has framed the campaign as protection for the company’s engineering investment rather than an effort to limit competition.15JOOLA. JOOLA Files Patent Infringement Litigation Against 11 Paddle Brands With patent protection running to 2043, how the remaining eight respondents choose to fight, settle, or redesign will shape paddle pricing and availability for years.