The LYCRA Company launches a new intellectual property enforcement initiative to support LYCRA® FitSense™ technology

SHANGHAI–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The LYCRA Company, a global leader in developing innovative and sustainable fiber and technology solutions for the apparel and personal care industries, announced an intellectual property enforcement initiative in support of LYCRA^® FitSense^™ technology.

LYCRA^® FitSense^™ Technology is an aqueous dispersion of the LYCRA^® brand polymer which can be printed onto fabrics and garments to give a localized power boost, resulting in shaping and compression benefits. It has been successfully adopted by both local China and leading international brands and retailers.

This printable form of LYCRA^® brand technology is supported by a global patent portfolio related to print technologies that modify garments for shaping purposes through altering stress-strain properties of fabrics. LYCRA^® FitSense^™ technology also benefits from trademark protection.

The technology is used primarily in garments such as shapewear, activewear, swimwear, intimate apparel, and leggings, where lightweight single-layer printed fabrics can give the benefits normally associated with double layer or heavy fabrics, resulting in fewer materials being used. This breakthrough technology enables better garment construction, redefining garments for today’s consumers with lightweight, targeted support.

“As the benefits of LYCRA^® FitSense^™ technology are significant, we are beginning to see products that are attempting to replicate our offering,” said Vincent Hu, vice president of Asia, apparel, and president of the APAC region. “Given our ownership of the intellectual property for this unique technology, it is appropriate that we exercise our rights to take the necessary legal action to deal with infringers.”

The LYCRA Company owns numerous patents and patent applications related to the use of aqueous polyurethane dispersions and such patents cover the composition of matter, production method, application, and benefits of this technology. “This means that producing in, or shipping and/or selling any fabric or garments into China, the U.S.A., or other countries where The LYCRA Company holds patents over these technologies, is restricted to The LYCRA Company and its customers or other legitimate users of its technology,” said Catherine Spicer, chief legal officer of The LYCRA Company. “We have recently engaged expert legal counsel based in Shanghai to identify infringers of LYCRA^® FitSense^™ technology. We intend to use all available means to deal with those who infringe upon our patents and intellectual property.”

This new intellectual property enforcement initiative for LYCRA^® FitSense^™ technology builds off previous successful enforcements by The LYCRA Company, most recently in the denim industry in China linked to LYCRA^® dualFX^® technology. The LYCRA Company holds in excess of 950 patents with almost 80 granted or filed in 2022 and treats intellectual property development as a core tenet of its long-term business strategy.

The LYCRA Company encourages any customers who have questions about LYCRA^® FitSense^™ technology or related patents to contact their local company representative or email at communications@lycra.com.

About The LYCRA Company

The LYCRA Company innovates and produces fiber and technology solutions for the apparel and personal care industries and owns leading consumer and trade brands: LYCRA^®, LYCRA HyFit^®, LYCRA^® T400^®, COOLMAX^®, THERMOLITE^®, ELASPAN^®, SUPPLEX^®, and TACTEL^®. Headquartered in Wilmington, Delaware, The LYCRA Company is recognized worldwide for its innovative products, technical expertise, sustainable solutions, marketing support, and LYCRA ONE™ marketplace. The LYCRA Company focuses on adding value to its customers’ products by developing unique innovations designed to meet the consumer’s need for comfort and lasting performance. For more information, visit lycra.com.

Contacts

Keyra Chen

keyra.chen@lycra.com