Leaper Footwear has decided to sue Apple and Nike over the Nike+iPod Sport Kit.

Greg and Kenny Anderson, the founders of Leaper footwear, claim that the Sport Kit is in violation of a 1998 patent, which involves using sensors in your shoes to track your running/walking speed and distance.

Apparently, Leaper Footwear approached Nike with the idea in 2000, only to be rejected. In May 2006 a spookily similar product was launched through Apple and Nike. The Sport Kit includes a sensor fitted inside Nike+ shoes and a wireless receiver. When the receiver is plugged into an iPod Nano, statistics are displayed and feedback given. You can even upload your stats to the Nike+ website.

If Leaper wins the case, it’ll be a lot of dough for Nike and Apple.

What do you guys think? The Sport Kit looks pretty cool, I'd definitely use one. But I can see how Leaper Footwear would be a bit upset about this...

Hey Dazzler

Here's one of the news articles I read:
http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/07/10/02/suit_claims_nike_apple_stole_idea_for_nike_ipod_sport_kit.html

And here's an official overview of the product:
http://www.apple.com/ipod/nike/

It's definitely a great idea for anyone who's serious about their exercise regime