SAN JOSE, Calif. — LELO is responding to Standard Innovation’s latest message to its retailers and distributors, notifying of possible further legal action against LELO for its newest couples massagers, the Ida and Tara.
LELO claims that these “threats are born out of SIC’s concerns regarding the limited improvements it will provide with its new We-Vibe 4 couples’ massager rumored to be released in mid-November, as compared with the revolutionary new Ida which is set to ship on Sept. 18.
“LELO is pleased to confirm that it has all relevant certifications to launch their ground-breaking new couples’ massagers Ida and Tara in the U.S. and worldwide, with the company promising the biggest global holiday promotion campaign and retailer support in their 10-year history.”
The ITC General Exclusion and Cease and Desist Orders, that came into effect on Aug.16, banned the importation, sale, marketing, advertising, distribution, offer for sale, transfer (except for exportation), and solicitation of U.S. agents or distributors in the U.S. of LELO’s Tiani 2, as well products not named in the investigation that are deemed to infringe on Standard Innovation’s patent which covers the We-Vibe couples device.
“The ITC also ruled however that LELO’s PicoBong Mahana couples’ massager did not infringe SIC’s patent due to its round shape,” LELO said in a press release. “Accordingly, the ITC ruled that these couples’ massagers were deemed outside of the scope of the ITC order and exempt from Standard Innovation’s patent. The new LELO products Ida and Tara are the world’s first couples’ massagers to combine vibration with rotations within, something that is entirely unique in the industry at this time.”
LELO has described the Ida and Tara as “what the industry has been waiting for,” and is reporting record orders.
LELO Marketing Director Donna Faro said, “The couples’ massager has been on the market since before LELO even began 10 years ago, but only in 2009 did our design team really focus on making this category better. With increasing demand and limited options, the product offering was in need of a genuine shake-up. The new sensations offered by Ida and Tara for both partners, not just the woman, ensure it’s going to be an exciting build-up to Christmas.”
LELO called Standard Innovation’s latest message to resellers “misinformation” and says ITC’s decision currently impacts the Tiani 2, Tiani and Noa couples’ massagers for the U.S. market alone.
“LELO fully respects the ITC decision and is abiding fully while launching its appeal in the U.S.,” the company said. “However, LELO continues to defend its right to offer genuine innovation to customers with a completely new product design that calls couples everywhere to: Put a Whole New Spin on Making Love.”
Faro added, “That’s a much nicer point to focus on. Let the customers decide, and then everyone can get on with offering the best possible experiences to these customers.”
