SAN JOSE, Calif. — LELO has responded to Monday’s ruling by the U.S. International Trade Commission, which bans the importation and sale of the LELO Tiani and Tiani 2 in U.S. territories.
The decision only affects the U.S. market and still must be approved by the United States Trade Representative delegated by the President during a 60-day period following the ITC’s order. The decision is also subject to review by the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.
LELO says ITC’s ruling is “a clear setback for the American consumer, and the industry as a whole.” LELO claims that the intentions of SIC [Standard Innovation Corporation] in asking the ITC to bring this investigation represented a clear action to prevent competition in the marketplace for its We-Vibe product line.
“SIC has instead chosen to target through legal proceedings LELO and other innovative companies that wish to offer more choice for consumers,” the company says.
LELO has announced it will continue to defend its right to import and sell its products in the U.S. market and will pursue legal action against SIC as necessary to do so. LELO Inc. is currently pursuing litigation in Federal District Court in California against Standard Innovation Corporation and its We-Vibe 3 product for infringement of one of LELO’s patents.
“LELO has also taken the opportunity to express its sincere gratitude to its loyal U.S. partners over the recent months, and affirmed its commitment to stand by retailers and distributors in offering genuinely innovative products to their customers,” the company said.
A new line of LELO personal massagers is slated for release in fall 2013, which the company claims will succeed in offering consumers greater choices while inspiring innovation across the industry as a whole.
