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After a five year struggle, Ottawa’s Standard Innovation Corp. has agreed to settle a legal dispute over its popular We-Vibe lines of sexual aids.
Standard has been in a patent fight with a Swedish company, LELO, which also makes a popular line of vibrators — the Tiani, Noa and Intimina Kalian.
In January 2013, United States International Trade Commission ruled the Ottawa company’s designs, including the unique “C” shape of the We-Vibe product line, are protected by international intellectual property laws. That meant other companies making similar devices, including LELO, were forced to cease sales of competing products in the U.S.
However, in October, 2014, Lelo took its complaint directly to the United States Patent Office, questioning the validity of the patents protecting the company’s We-Vibe device.
The battle has been raging since.
On Thursday, the two sides agreed to a settlement that will end all outstanding lawsuits and allow the two companies to sell their products. The settlement includes an agreement that allows both companies to license and use each other’s relevant intellectual property. More specifically LELO will be able to use Standard Innovation’s couples vibrator patent for use in products such as LELO Tiani, Tiani 2, Tiani 3, Noa and Intimina Kalia. Standard has access to LELO’s inductively chargeable (wireless charging) patent.
“We are thrilled to see this process come to an end and to have Standard Innovation’s patent covering the We-Vibe respectfully honoured,” said Frank Ferrari, president of Standard Innovation. “We are greatly indebted to our retail and distribution partners for their support and commitment to the We-Vibe brand.”
Standard Innovation, which employs about 30 people in Ottawa, reported sales of more than $40 million annually during an interview in 2012. The company is privately held.
To date, more than two million people have bought the company’s devices. Standard’s bestseller is the We-Vibe, a wireless, dual-motor vibrator that women can wear internally. Its C-shaped design stimulates the erogenous zones of both partners simultaneously.
The We-Vibe has been featured repeatedly in the “Oscar bags” handed to movie stars attending the annual Academy Awards. We-Vibes were also given to VIPs attending the 2012 Super Bowl in Miami, further helping to build demand for the device.
查看原文...
Standard has been in a patent fight with a Swedish company, LELO, which also makes a popular line of vibrators — the Tiani, Noa and Intimina Kalian.
In January 2013, United States International Trade Commission ruled the Ottawa company’s designs, including the unique “C” shape of the We-Vibe product line, are protected by international intellectual property laws. That meant other companies making similar devices, including LELO, were forced to cease sales of competing products in the U.S.
However, in October, 2014, Lelo took its complaint directly to the United States Patent Office, questioning the validity of the patents protecting the company’s We-Vibe device.
The battle has been raging since.
On Thursday, the two sides agreed to a settlement that will end all outstanding lawsuits and allow the two companies to sell their products. The settlement includes an agreement that allows both companies to license and use each other’s relevant intellectual property. More specifically LELO will be able to use Standard Innovation’s couples vibrator patent for use in products such as LELO Tiani, Tiani 2, Tiani 3, Noa and Intimina Kalia. Standard has access to LELO’s inductively chargeable (wireless charging) patent.
“We are thrilled to see this process come to an end and to have Standard Innovation’s patent covering the We-Vibe respectfully honoured,” said Frank Ferrari, president of Standard Innovation. “We are greatly indebted to our retail and distribution partners for their support and commitment to the We-Vibe brand.”
Standard Innovation, which employs about 30 people in Ottawa, reported sales of more than $40 million annually during an interview in 2012. The company is privately held.
To date, more than two million people have bought the company’s devices. Standard’s bestseller is the We-Vibe, a wireless, dual-motor vibrator that women can wear internally. Its C-shaped design stimulates the erogenous zones of both partners simultaneously.
The We-Vibe has been featured repeatedly in the “Oscar bags” handed to movie stars attending the annual Academy Awards. We-Vibes were also given to VIPs attending the 2012 Super Bowl in Miami, further helping to build demand for the device.
查看原文...
