OTTAWA — Standard Innovation says it stands by the strength of its We-Vibe patent as it undergoes a re-examination by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
The proceeding involving Standard Innovation’s We-Vibe patent (U.S. Patent No. 7,931,605), was initiated by LELO, which continues to fight the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) ruling last year that found LELO infringed the We-Vibe patent.
“Despite LELO’s recent misleading statements, the following facts remain,” the company said in a statement. “Standard Innovation’s We-Vibe patent remains valid and in force. After a complete and thorough investigation, the International Trade Commission concluded that the We-Vibe patent is valid. The ITC banned the import and sale of all infringing products in the U.S., including the Lelo Tiani, Tiani 2, Noa and Intimina Kalia. The ban remains in place.”
The USPTO re-examination proceeding is a multi-step process that is at a very early stage, according to Standard Innovation. The company says it will present its evidence to support the validity of its patent over the coming months.
“During the ITC hearings, LELO attempted to present the same prior art and arguments without success,” Standard Innovation says. “There is no reason to believe that the USPTO will come to a different conclusion than the ITC. Standard Innovation has full confidence in the validity of the We-Vibe patent and in the USPTO patent re-examination process.”
