On Monday, the US International Trade Commission overruled a preliminary ITC finding and held that several companies making and selling vibrators in the U.S. had infringed a patent for a two-armed (two-pronged) vibrator owned by a Canadian company, Standard Innovation Corp.
Privately held Standard Innovation called their innovation of the two-armed vibrator “a global sensation” on their website and belonging to their brand “We-Vibe.”
It filed its complaint against vibrator manufacturer Lelo Inc and a long list of other companies including sales and distribution agents like Nalpac Enterprises, Williams Trading Co, Honey’s Place Inc, Lover’s Lane & Co, and others.
Earlier, an ITC judge had held in a preliminary finding made in January that the patent holder, based in Ottawa, did not have sufficient commercial activity in the United States to prevail at the ITC. However that finding was not accepted by the full commission.
The ITC banned sales and distribution of the two-armed vibrators made by Lelo Inc, and other patent infringers.
The “global sensation” is designed to be worn for use during sex by a couple. The latest models, as shown on their website can also be operated remotely (??)
It is expected that Standard Innovation, which was featured this year in Bloomberg and Huffington Post would be directly catering to U.S. customers.