In a surprising turn of events, Strava has filed a lawsuit against Garmin, a move that has sent ripples throughout the fitness technology world. The lawsuit centers around claims of patent infringement related to segments and heatmaps, features that have become integral to both platforms. Strava is demanding that Garmin halt the sale of its fitness and outdoor watches, as well as cycling computers, and remove certain features from Garmin Connect.
This legal battle raises critical questions about the future of collaboration and competition in the fitness tech industry. Why has Strava, after years of partnership, decided to take such drastic action? What are the potential implications for users of both platforms? This article dives into the details of the lawsuit, examining the patents in question, the history between the two companies, and the possible reasons behind Strava’s decision.
We’ll explore the specifics of Strava’s claims, including the alleged violation of a Master Cooperation Agreement from 2015. Furthermore, we’ll analyze the arguments surrounding heatmaps and segments, features at the heart of the dispute. Finally, we’ll consider the potential outcomes of this lawsuit and what it could mean for the broader fitness technology landscape.
The Heatmaps Patent: A Contested Innovation
The lawsuit focuses on two primary claims: the Strava Segments piece and heatmaps/popularity routing. Strava asserts Garmin violated patent ’651, related to generating user preference activity maps. This involves creating maps displaying workout locations based on aggregated user data.
Strava filed for the ’651 patent in December 2014, receiving approval in 2016. They claim Garmin infringed by incorporating it into devices like Edge cycling computers and Forerunner/Fenix/Epix watches, through Trendline/Popularity routing, heatmaps, and Courses.
However, Garmin launched heatmaps within Garmin Connect prior to Strava’s patent filing. These heatmaps showed popular routes, even featuring layers. This early implementation suggests that Garmin may have predated Strava in heatmap technology.
The fact that Strava obtained a patent is surprising given that heatmaps and route generation weren’t originally their creation. Software patents can be messy, and this case highlights potential flaws in the patenting process. Experts suggest Garmin’s legal team will likely challenge the patent’s validity, potentially leading to its nullification, similar to the Wahoo-Zwift case.
The Strava Segments Patent: A Decade-Long Partnership Turns Sour
The Strava Segments patent is another point of contention. The core idea revolves around defining and matching segments, which involves receiving user-defined segments and matching efforts using GPS data. Strava filed this patent in 2013, with approval granted in August 2015.
Strava claims that Garmin copied Strava Segments in 2014, incorporating them into their platform. While there is agreement on the copying, the question remains why Strava waited so long to address this issue.
In April 2015, both companies signed a ‘Master Cooperation Agreement’ (MCA) to integrate Strava Live Segments on Garmin devices. However, Strava now alleges that Garmin expanded beyond the MCA’s scope by deploying Garmin-branded segments and leaderboards outside the Strava experience.
Strava seems to imply that the MCA restricted Garmin’s ability to expand its existing Garmin Segment feature. However, it’s unlikely Garmin agreed to abandon their Garmin Segments feature, as it served as an alternative for non-Strava subscribers. Despite Garmin Segments not achieving significant success, Garmin continues to offer segment capabilities across all devices.
Why Is Strava Suing Now? The API Fiasco and Data Attribution
Strava officially notified Garmin of their grievances in June and July 2025. This timing aligns with turbulence following the Strava API changes in Fall 2024. These changes, among other things, required API partner TrailForks to delete millions of activities from their platform.
Garmin, a major data source for Strava, was largely excluded from these strict API enforcements. However, Garmin grew concerned about Strava’s use of Garmin user data for AI training without user control. They also noted Strava’s requirement for third-party apps to clearly label data as coming from Strava, while Strava didn’t reciprocate for Garmin Connect data.
In response, Garmin developed a new Garmin Connect API policy around data attribution, requiring developers to display the data source. Strava was displeased with this, viewing it as a potential encroachment on their subscription-based services.
Ultimately, the lawsuit appears driven by Strava’s concern that Garmin is starting to compete on their subscription turf, thereby impacting Strava revenues. Strava seeks to prohibit Garmin from selling devices with segment or heatmap features, effectively targeting all fitness devices.
Strava’s Perspective: Data Branding and User Experience
Strava posted an update to Reddit, explaining that Garmin’s new API developer guidelines, requiring the Garmin logo on every activity post, screen, and image, prompted the lawsuit. Strava believes this degrades user experience and turns the platform into an advertising platform.
Strava also argues that users should have control over their data and not be forced to display logos. They state that Garmin doesn’t provide attribution for third-party devices within the Garmin Connect app.
However, Garmin’s guidelines don’t explicitly require the Garmin logo; they require the platform to note the data source, similar to what mapping and other providers already do. Also, Strava’s ‘it’s your data’ argument contradicts their previous API actions, where they removed companies and user data from their platform.
Why were heat maps and route creation pulled into it? Well, I . That’s part of Garmin’s paid Garmin Connect+, and it uses various filtering operations to find routes near you.
What Happens Next? Potential Outcomes and Implications
Strava is seeking an injunction to halt Garmin’s segment and heatmap features and remove devices from the market. When asked about the impact on users, Strava stated they do not intend to disrupt Garmin users’ ability to sync data with Strava.
Garmin has offered minimal comments, stating they typically don’t comment on pending litigation. This reflects Garmin’s usual approach of quietly winning in court without public attention.
Strava’s actions may backfire. Strava’s leadership might want to consider the potential consequences of angering Garmin, a company known for its success in patent disputes. Garmin could countersue, potentially causing Strava to lose paid users if Garmin shuts off the API from Garmin to Strava.
Conclusion: A Risky Move with Uncertain Consequences
Strava’s lawsuit against Garmin is a bold and potentially risky move. While the company claims to be protecting its patents and user experience, the timing and motivations behind the lawsuit are questionable. The legal battle could disrupt the collaboration between the two companies and have implications for users.
The core of the dispute revolves around patents for heatmaps and segments, features that have been part of the fitness tracking landscape for years. The lawsuit raises questions about the validity of software patents and the extent to which companies can protect innovations in the digital age.
Ultimately, the outcome of this lawsuit is uncertain. However, it serves as a reminder of the complex dynamics between technology companies and the importance of protecting intellectual property. As the case unfolds, it will be interesting to observe how it impacts the future of the fitness tech industry and the relationship between Strava and Garmin.
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