Table of Contents
- What the JOOLA paddle patent fight was about
- The buyer's alert: what's going away
- Nine brands still in the fight
- What this means for paddle innovation
- JOOLA paddles still available now
- Related Spinwave links
- What do you think?
- FAQs
- What is the JOOLA paddle patent about?
- Which paddles are being phased out?
- Should I buy a Paddletek Reserve or ProXR Jolt before they're gone?
- How many other brands are still being sued by JOOLA?
- Will the JOOLA paddle patent make all foam-core paddles disappear?
- Are JOOLA paddles affected by the patent settlement?
- What happens to the warranty on a Paddletek Reserve I already own?
The JOOLA paddle patent case just claimed its first three casualties. Three popular paddles are officially on a countdown clock. JOOLA and Paddletek Group announced a settlement yesterday resolving all patent claims between the companies, and the terms are clear: the Paddletek Reserve, the HoneyFoam, and the ProXR Signature Jolt are being sold through and phased out by fall 2026.
If any of those three paddles are in your bag right now, your inventory window is closing fast.
What the JOOLA paddle patent fight was about
On April 7, 2026, JOOLA filed a complaint with the International Trade Commission, the federal body that polices imported goods that infringe on U.S. patents, against multiple pickleball paddle companies. The core claim: those companies were using JOOLA's "propulsion core" technology without paying for it.
So what is a propulsion core, in plain English? It's the internal foam construction inside the paddle face that generates power and pop, the snappy, lively feel you get on a drive or a reset. Think of it as the engineered spring inside the paddle. The JOOLA paddle patent covers a specific way of building that core, and JOOLA claims competitors copied it.
"Pickleball is built on innovation, and innovation only thrives when it is protected."
Richard Lee, CEO of JOOLA
Paddletek's CEO, Ron Saslow, was measured but clear: they take IP seriously themselves, negotiated in good faith, and are ready to move on. "Fortunately, this matter involves a limited portion of our products," he noted, meaning the rest of the Paddletek lineup is unaffected by the settlement.
The buyer's alert: what's going away
As part of the JOOLA paddle patent settlement, both Paddletek and ProXR agreed to stamp JOOLA's propulsion core patent number on affected paddles and pay royalties. More importantly for players: they're only allowed to sell existing inventory through the fall. After that, these models are done.
Buy it now if you love it
Once inventory clears, these models are gone. If the Paddletek Reserve or the ProXR Jolt is your daily driver, this is your window to grab a backup before they disappear from shelves, likely by September or October 2026.
Nine brands still in the fight
Here's the part that should have the broader industry on edge. The JOOLA paddle patent settlement with Paddletek and ProXR explicitly does not resolve the ITC case against the other nine companies named in JOOLA's April 7 filing. Those cases are still very much active.
JOOLA's statement left zero ambiguity: they remain "committed to vigorously pursuing those matters." Nine more brands. The ITC process. And the JOOLA paddle patent that, based on this settlement, JOOLA has now demonstrated it can enforce. When those names become public, expect more phase-outs, more royalty deals, and more paddles disappearing from pro bags and retailer shelves.
What this means for paddle innovation
The short-term consequence is clear: certain paddles go away. The longer-term consequence is more interesting. If JOOLA's propulsion core patent holds up through nine more ITC challenges, any brand building foamy, power-oriented cores needs to either license from JOOLA or engineer around the patent entirely.
That kind of constraint historically pushes R&D in unexpected directions. Paddletek's Saslow hinted at exactly this: "We look forward to launching numerous new products outside of this technology." The next generation of paddles may be shaped less by player demand and more by what brands are legally allowed to build under the JOOLA paddle patent umbrella.
JOOLA paddles still available now
Since the JOOLA paddle patent covers the propulsion core technology JOOLA itself uses, JOOLA's own paddles are obviously unaffected by the phase-out. If you're considering switching brands ahead of the inventory clearance, these are the JOOLA paddles we're recommending most right now at Spinwave:
For broader context on the brands and paddles affected by the case, check out our buying guides and brand collections below.
Related Spinwave links
Want to read more about the brands and paddles in the JOOLA paddle patent story?
- Shop JOOLA paddles
- Shop all pickleball paddles
- Shop all-court pickleball paddles
- Shop power pickleball paddles
- Shop control pickleball paddles
- Get a free paddle consultation
- Read more paddle buying guides
- Read The Overgrip Bible
What do you think?
Does this story change how you feel about investing in a premium paddle? Are you rushing to grab a Reserve or a Jolt before stock dries up? And, maybe the bigger question, do you think JOOLA is protecting legitimate innovation, or boxing out competition?
FAQs
Spinwave Pickleball
Spinwave Pickleball
Which paddles are being phased out?
Three paddles will be phased out by fall 2026: the Paddletek Reserve, the Paddletek HoneyFoam, and the ProXR Signature Jolt. Existing inventory can be sold through, but after that, likely September or October 2026, these models are done.
Should I buy a Paddletek Reserve or ProXR Jolt before they're gone?
If either is your daily driver, yes, this is your window. Once Paddletek and ProXR clear remaining inventory, these specific models will not be manufactured again under the settlement. The rest of the Paddletek lineup is unaffected, so if you just like the brand generally, you'll still have options.
How many other brands are still being sued by JOOLA?
Nine more brands are still in active ITC litigation as part of the original April 7, 2026 JOOLA paddle patent complaint. The Paddletek and ProXR settlement does NOT resolve those cases. JOOLA has stated they remain committed to pursuing them, so more phase-outs and royalty deals are likely in the coming months.
Will the JOOLA paddle patent make all foam-core paddles disappear?
No. The patent covers a specific propulsion core construction method, not all foam-core paddles in general. Brands can still build foam-core paddles by licensing from JOOLA, paying royalties, or engineering around the specific patent. Many existing foam-core paddles from brands like Six Zero, AIREO, Honolulu, and Gherkin USA use different construction methods entirely.
Are JOOLA paddles affected by the patent settlement?
No, JOOLA owns the propulsion core patent at the center of the case, so JOOLA's own paddles are completely unaffected. The Perseus Pro V, Agassi Pro V, Scorpeus Pro V, Hyperion Pro V, and other JOOLA models continue to be sold and supported normally.
What happens to the warranty on a Paddletek Reserve I already own?
Existing warranties on already-purchased Paddletek Reserve, HoneyFoam, and ProXR Signature Jolt paddles should be honored normally per each manufacturer's standard warranty terms. The phase-out only affects new production, it doesn't change existing customer support obligations. If you have a specific warranty question, contact Paddletek or ProXR directly.
