SANTA ANA, Calif. (BRAIN) — MIPS will pay $3.25 million to fellow helmet technology company BrainGuard Technologies as part of a patent infringement lawsuit settlement brought against Revelyst and its helmet brands.
Filed in 2024 in U.S. District Court here against Vista Outdoor Inc. and Revelyst Sales LLC, MIPS became involved a year later because Revelyst is one of its customers. Vista sold its Revelyst business unit — including bike brands Bell, Giro, and Fox Racing — to Strategic Value Partners in 2025.
Located in El Cerrito, California, BrainGuard Technologies alleged Revelyst infringed on several of its patents used in Bell, Giro, and Fox MIPS bike, motorsports, and snow sports helmets. MIPS/Revelyst argued that the BrainGuard patents were invalid. Founded in 2011, BrainGuard says its helmet technology reduced the effects of rotational force during impact.
The settlement stops all litigation, releases all alleged claims, and prevents any future claims on patents against MIPS or any of its customers. MIPS added the settlement decision was based on avoiding costs. Although, the company said the settlement will have a negative impact on the adjusted operating profit in the third quarter.
"Nothing in the settlement shall be construed as an admission of liability, wrongdoing, or infringement by MIPS or Revelyst," MIPS said.
In 2014 BRG Sports, then the owner of the Bell and Giro brands, made a significant investment in MIPS. But a business unit containing that share was spun off and not included when the brands were later sold to Vista Outdoor.
