JOOLA Files Patent Infringement Litigation Against 11 Paddle Brands

The legal action names major brands including Franklin, RPM and Paddletek as defendants, claiming "unauthorized use of its proprietary propulsion core technology."

There's breaking pickleball news, and then there's industry-shaking, remember-where-you-were-when-it-happened type of news.

This falls into the second category.

JOOLA today announced that is has filed patent infringement litigation against 11 paddle brands, many of which are major names in the sport.

The reason: "unauthorized use of its proprietary propulsion core technology."

"The action, filed with the International Trade Commission (ITC) on April 7, 2026, reflects JOOLA's long-standing commitment to protecting the original engineering that has defined the modern era of pickleball paddle performance," the company stated in a release.

The litigation involves the following companies as defendants:

1. Franklin Sports
2. Proton Sports
3. RPM Pickleball
4. Engage Pickleball
5. Friday Labs
6. Diadem Sports
7. Facolos
8. ProXR Pickleball
9. Paddletek
10. Adidas Pickleball
11. Volair  

We reached out to JOOLA to ask why they decided to take this action now.

"This is a principled decision, not a reactive one," said Richard Lee, CEO of JOOLA.

"We take our responsibility to defend what we've built seriously. Our goal is to protect our innovation and encourage others to innovate as well."

What is JOOLA's Propulsion Core?

The Propulsion Core has been a staple technology in both the Pro IV and Pro V models.

Here's how it's described on the company's website:

Patented propulsion core adds controlled flex to the paddle’s interior, creating a responsive, spring-like effect. The result is easier access to power on drives, counters, and quick speed-ups, so you can hit harder without having to swing harder.

The brand reportedly spent years investing in the research, development, and rigorous testing behind its propulsion core technology, according to the release.

“Protecting our innovation is not about limiting what others can do – it’s about ensuring the investment, creativity and engineering required to advance this sport are sustained,” said Lee.

“The brands that will shape the future of this sport are the ones willing to innovate on their own. We encourage every brand to bring their own ideas, their own engineering, and their own creativity.”  

What Happens Now?

Obviously, this is a massive story with major implications for the current and future state of the pickleball paddle industry.

We will be following developments closely, so make sure you check back often for the latest.