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Lelo releases statement regarding dispute with SIC

The patent dispute between Lelo and Standard Innovation Corp, creators of the We-Vibe range, continues to rumble on and in the latest turn of events Lelo has released a statement accusing SIC of sending threatening letters to retailers with regard to Lelo’s launch of its new Ida massager.

The statement continues: “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 rumoured to be released in mid-November, as compared with the revolutionary new Ida, which is set to ship on September 18th. Lelo is pleased to confirm that it has all relevant certifications to launch their ground-breaking new couples’ massagers Ida and Tara in the US and worldwide, with the company promising the biggest global holiday promotion campaign and retailer support in their 10-year history. Lelo and Standard Innovation have been involved in a series of legal disputes, recently resulting in an ITC decision to prohibit Lelo’s Tiani 2 product from being imported into the US. The ITC also ruled however that Lelo’s PicoBong Mahana couples’ massager did not infringe SIC’s patent due to its round shape. 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 also described them as exactly what the industry has been waiting for, and is reporting record orders already, due to the new dimension in pleasure they offer.”

Lelo’s US sales and 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’s statement added: “Lelo wishes to remind distributors and retailers that despite the misinformation that SIC is spreading to the contrary, the ITC decision is related to a previous case regarding the Tiana 2, Tiana and Noa couples’ massagers in the US alone. Lelo fully respects the ITC decision and is abiding fully, while launching its appeal in the US. 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’.”

Donna Faro said: “That’s a much nicer point to focus on. Let the customers decide, and everyone can get on with offering the best possible experiences to customers.”

UK retailers wishing to order the Ida couples’ massager should contact [email protected] for more details.