By Peter Berton
OTTAWA, Ontario – Standard Innovation, the Canadian manufacturer of the We-Vibe line of couples-oriented sex toys, has prevailed in a U.S. International Trade Commission patent-infringement complaint against China’s Lelo Inc.
The ITC ruling bans the import, sale, marketing, advertising, distribution, offer for sale, transfer (except for exportation) all Lelo products, including Tiani, Tiani 2 and PicoBong Mahana, and any other infringing products, including those not named in the case. The ruling also prohibits solicitation of U.S. agents or distributors.
The ITC, a U.S. government agency, issued the order after determining Standard Innovation’s U.S. Patent No. 7,931,605 is valid and that certain Lelo Inc. products infringe more than 65 claims of that patent. The order is subject to a 60-day presidential review process; however, the president rarely disapproves ITC orders.
“Seeing We-Vibe officially acknowledged as truly innovative and having its patent legally upheld is the best news I can imagine,” said Bruce Murison, inventor of We-Vibe. “More than a decade of my life went into creating this product, and today my family and I can celebrate knowing its uniqueness has been recognized.”
Added Danny Osadca, Standard Innovation’s chief executive officer, “The We-Vibe team is extremely pleased by the Commission’s ruling. Thank you to our loyal partners. We greatly appreciate the support you have given us throughout this case.
“We are also sincerely grateful to the ITC for allowing us to engage in this process,” Oscada said.
Standard Innovation continues to pursue legal action against Lelo in Canadian federal court and the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas. In those lawsuits, the company seeks damages, a remedy not available in the ITC proceeding.
Lelo has not responded to the ITC’s decision.
