Strava withdraws patent suit against Garmin after just 21 days

Strava has filed paperwork to dismiss its patent infringement lawsuit against Garmin after only 21 days. The suit had accused Garmin of infringing patents related to heat maps and segments and sought to halt sales of products Strava said relied on those patents.

The dispute escalated with a public post from Strava’s chief product officer, Matt Salazar, criticizing Garmin’s API requirements. But the sudden reversal suggests private negotiations — and possibly the specter of counterclaims from Garmin, which holds an extensive patent portfolio.

What happened

• Strava sued Garmin over patents covering heat maps and segments and asked the court to stop sales of allegedly infringing devices.
• The companies exchanged public barbs, including a Reddit post from Strava’s CPO highlighting concerns with Garmin’s API policies.
• After 21 days, Strava moved to dismiss the suit; reports suggest behind-the-scenes talks and legal risk assessments may have driven the decision.

Why the quick reversal matters

The rapid withdrawal raises questions about strategy and leverage. Garmin’s strong record defending patents and its large patent library may have heightened Strava’s legal exposure. At the same time, Strava relies heavily on Garmin devices and data for its platform — a long-term rupture could have had serious business consequences, especially with Strava reportedly preparing an IPO.

Implications

• Partnerships: The episode underscores how intertwined device makers and platform services are; litigation risks can threaten vital data flows and user access.
• IPO considerations: Strava likely wants to avoid protracted battles that could complicate growth narratives ahead of any public offering.
• Legal posture: Quick dismissals may reflect settlement talks, reassessment of claims, or a decision to preserve commercial relationships.

Neither company has released a full public account of the talks that led to the dismissal. For more detailed reporting, see coverage from industry outlets and specialist blogs that tracked the filing and its rapid reversal.

Sources: Reports from industry sites and commentary following the filings provide the timeline and context for the dismissal.

Discussion: Do you think Strava made the right call to pull the suit quickly to preserve its relationship with Garmin, or should it have pursued the case to defend its patents? What are the business risks when platform providers sue their hardware partners?