Outdoor gear such as this Patagonia baselayer uses Polartec's high-tech textiles

Outdoor textile company Polartec is suing an Italian firm for alleged patent infringement.

The Massachusetts-based company, which invented modern synthetic fleece, claims Pontetorto’s Tecnostretch fabric infringes a European patent for grid-back knitted textiles.

It has also included Pontetorto’s German sales agent Christian Weichert Internationale Textilvertretungen in the complaint, which was lodged at the German District Court in Düsseldorf.

Polartec’s Power Dry High Efficiency material is used in many top outdoor brands, and has a grid construction that helps maximise warmth and breathability and reduce weight.

The American company is also seeking an injunction to stop Pontetorto selling the textiles it says infringes the patent.

Pontetorto describes its Tecnostretch as having clean look and high elasticity while delivering top insulation performance. “Grid structures are also possible and offer a broad range of functional advantages such as low weight, reduced pack size, and better ventilation than basic fleece,” it adds.

Gary Smith, chief executive of Polartec

Polartec’s chief executive Gary Smith said: “Innovation is the essence of the Polartec brand.

“Any time someone takes our proprietary designs and asks another mill to ‘make it cheaper’, they are damaging our ability to innovate in the future and undermining the desire of innovators and designers everywhere to invest in bringing great ideas to market.”

Polartec holds more than 135 patents worldwide. The company said it is committed to defending its intellectual property through any legal means available.