STOCKHOLM & SAN JOSE, Calif. — LELO officials, responding to a favorable appeals court ruling handed down this week that overturned a 2013 International Trade Commission decision, said that they are pleased that the outcome will allow its couples vibrators to re-enter the U.S. market
Company's officials, however, said they express regret “over the need for such a drawn-out appeal process” that targeted its LELO Tiani and Noa couples massagers.
In a statement today, LELO asserted that the legal action brought on by Standard Innovation Corporation was intended to prevent competition in the marketplace for its We-Vibe product line and that now the LELO Tiani and Noa couples massagers are “free to re-enter the U.S. market.”
“With the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit formally reversing the ITC’s determination of finding of a violation, all the incorrect findings made by the ITC are void and LELO is free to begin importation of the previously banned couples’ massagers to the U.S. LELO will continue to pursue its claims against Standard Innovation in the districts courts,” LELO officials said.
“This win at the Federal Circuit comes at the heels of LELO’s recent defeat of Standard Innovation’s invalidation attempts at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. LELO’s patent infringement claims against the inductively charged We-Vibes are set to proceed in district court beginning on June 17, 2015, where Standard Innovation is estopped from challenging the validity of LELO’s patent.”
LELO said that retailers and distributors who are seeking to find out more about the impact of the ruling can contact their local LELO sales representative or legalteam@lelo.com directly.
