FlightScope, the global leader and pioneer in tracking and analyzing sports performance data, has welcomed the outcome of an appeal case in the District Court of Düsseldorf that has ruled it did not infringe on a Trackman product patent in Germany.
The initial case was filed more than 10 years ago, suggesting that a FlightScope product infringed on a particular Ball Spin Patent, relating to the method Trackman used for estimating the rotation velocity or spin frequency of a rotating sports ball. Having initially ruled in the Danish company’s favor in May 2013, that has now been overturned under appeal.
FlightScope was founded in 1989, some 14 years before Trackman, when its proprietary technology was used to track projectiles for the defense industry and, since moving into sports, it has continually innovated across golf, tennis, baseball, softball, cricket and athletics.
Most recently, its patented Fusion Tracking technology has combined 3D Doppler radar tracking and synchronized image processing to provide more accurate golf performance data to teaching professionals, club fitters and players of all abilities.
Fusion Tracking is protected by the ‘SYSTEMS TO TRACK A MOVING SPORTS OBJECT’ US Patent 10,338,209; in addition to various other patents held by FlightScope in relation to ball spin and spin axis measurement, including ‘BALL SPIN RATE MEASUREMENT’ U.S. Patent No. 9,868,044 and ‘GOLF BALL SPIN AXIS MEASUREMENT’ U.S. Patent No. 10,775,492.
Fusion Tracking was initially only available on the top-of-the-line FlightScope X3 model and will now be available to all FlightScope Mevo+ owners who also have the option to upgrade their device with the new Pro Package. The add-on gives users access to 40+ data parameters, including the complete D-Plane dataset, and will be available worldwide from 1 Feb 2022.
Henri Johnson, founder and CEO of FlightScope, said: “We have always prided ourselves on the innovation and integrity at the heart of our business, whether we are working in golf, wider sports or in the defense industry. To have this questioned over a decade ago was very disappointing and we are delighted with the outcome of this appeal case in Germany. We hold several patents relating to the proprietary technology at the heart of our industry-leading products, and we will remain diligent in protecting these.
“We hope this ruling removes any doubt as to the innovative nature of our business and we look forward to bringing more industry-leading products to golfers around the world – as with the upcoming release of our FlightScope Mevo+ Pro Package.”
FlightScope’s award-winning product range offers something for every standard of player, from the top of the range X3 used by Tour professionals such as Bryson DeChambeau and Bubba Watson, to the Mevo+ and Mevo, which bring the latest golf tracking technology to the personal launch monitor and golf simulator market. FlightScope is also a proud official performance data technology partner of the AJGA (American Junior Golf Association).
To find out more about FlightScope, visit: flightscope.com and flightscopemevo.com
About FlightScope
The industry leader and pioneer in tracking and analyzing sports performance data, FlightScope was founded in 1989 when its proprietary technology was originally developed to track projectiles for the defense industry. Turning its attention to sports, it has pioneered a variety of innovations to help improve athletic performance in multiple sports categories, including golf, baseball, softball, tennis, cricket and more to come.
Among the groundbreaking inventions it has designed and engineered are: The world's first autonomous cricket bowling speed radar (1992), the first 3D Doppler radar in golf (2000), the first accurate tennis serve speed radar (2001), the first 3D Doppler radar for golf simulators – called “FlightScope TBox” (2002), the first 3D Doppler radar for golf driving ranges – called “FlightScope The Game”, which included game software and in-bay TV monitors (2003). Additionally, FlightScope was the first to integrate 3D Doppler tracking into television broadcasts, as showcased at the 2004 Nedbank Golf Challenge and Battle at the Bridges exhibition match.
Renowned for accuracy and ease-of-use, FlightScope products represent the pinnacle of tracking technology, enabling players and coaches to measure and analyze every aspect of performance with unmatched accuracy.