Strava pulls the plug on its Garmin lawsuit after just 21 days

Strava has dismissed its 21-day patent infringement lawsuit against Garmin. The lawsuit accused Garmin of infringing on patents related to heat maps and segments. Strava had sought to halt sales of Garmin products it deemed infringing. Strava's Chief Product Officer had publicly accused Garmin of prioritizing marketing over user experience with its API guidelines. This public escalation suggested a protracted legal battle. However, Strava's sudden reversal indicates a likely behind-the-scenes resolution. Potential factors include closed-door discussions and the threat of a Garmin counter-suit. Garmin possesses a strong patent portfolio and defense record. Additionally, Strava's patent claims, particularly concerning heat maps, were reportedly weak. This case was unusual given Strava's reliance on data from Garmin devices for its business model. The relationship between the two companies, which is crucial for Strava's upcoming IPO, is now strained.