ETO has been made aware of the latest developments in the ongoing patent dispute between EIS and LELO. We are reproducing LELO’s latest press release in full here.
ETO has of course reached out to EIS for comment.
Here’s what LELO published today (01 October).
“In a significant legal victory, Boards of Appeal of the European Patent Office (EPO) has decided that EIS GMBH’s patent EP 3 228 297 (“Pressure Waves Massage Apparatus”) (“EP ‘297”) is not valid and it has been revoked in the European Patent Convention Member states.
“In summary: EIS’s EP ‘297 patent is revoked, and EIS can no longer threaten or initiate litigation against parties selling pressure wave devices based upon alleged infringement of the same patent. All retailers and distributors in European countries which have ratified the European Patent Convention are free to sell LELO’s SONA, SILA, and ENIGMA lines without fear of being threatened or sued by EIS on the basis of EP ‘297.
“This decision confirms what LELO believed all along: its innovative designs and technologies are distinct and original, upholding the brand’s reputation for pioneering excellence in the intimate wellness industry.
“The Board of Appeals determined that EP ‘297 is not valid and has been revoked. This decision is final and non-appealable. A list of countries in which the patent previously was valid, but no longer remains so, is below:
“AL – Albania; AT – Austria; BE – Belgium; BG – Bulgaria; CH – Switzerland; CY – Cyprus; CZ – Czech Republic; DE – Germany; DK – Denmark; EE – Estonia; ES – Spain; FI – Finland ; FR – France; GB – United Kingdom; GR – Greece; HR – Croatia; HU – Hungary; IE – Ireland; IS – Iceland; IT – Italy; LI – Liechtenstein; LT – Lithuania; LU – Luxembourg; LV – Latvia; MC – Monaco; MK – North Macedonia; MT – Malta; NL – Netherlands; NO – Norway; PL – Poland; PT – Portugal; RO – Romania; RS – Serbia; SE – Sweden; SI – Slovenia; SK – Slovakia; SM – San Marino; TR – Türkiye.
“This decision serves to uphold LELO brand’s reputation for pioneering excellence in the intimate wellness industry. LELO remains dedicated to its mission of delivering high-quality, innovative products to its customers.
“Should EIS or any representative of EIS reach out with further threats or allegations of infringement based upon EP ‘297, please contact LELO immediately. We will take swift action against any such unjustified actions.
“For more information, please contact [email protected].”
