Nike Settles With Designers Accused Of Stealing Secrets

Nike Inc. has settled a lawsuit it filed against three former shoe designers, who it claimed had stolen secrets and taken them to rival Adidas. The global sports giant filed last December seeking $10 million in damages, alleging the designers planned to open a design studio using stolen data, including sensitive documents and drawings for at least one unreleased shoe. Nike also claimed that Adidas knew of non-compete agreements the designers had signed, and agreed to pay for any legal fallout. The designers counter-sued in May, saying Nike had invaded their privacy and accessed personal communications in violation of federal law.