Columbia Sportswear Seeks Dismissal of Heated Apparel Lawsuit

Columbia Sportswear Co. is asking the Lane County Circuit Court to dismiss a claim that it used technology from Innovative Sports to produce its line of heated apparel products. The company is arguing that Innovative Sports doesn't have a lawyer to back its case after two attorneys turned down the opportunity.

In its complaint filed in March, Innovative Sports said that between 2004 and 2007 it had been discussing partnerships with Columbia to make heated apparel products using its technology, such as a battery that enabled a jacket to power digital phones or media devices using a built-in USB port.