WASHINGTON - The High Court on Jan. 9 supported efforts by Nike Inc. to rid itself of a rival’s trademark suit by promising not to pursue its own lawsuit against the competitor, Already LLC.

The promise or covenant, the court agreed, rendered the litigation moot. It was a significant win for Nike, and a continuation of the court’s efforts to rein in business litigation through jurisdictional and other procedural devices. The case was Already v. Nike, 11-982.