CHRISTIE, PARKER & HALE, LLP WINS $1.7 MILLION
AWARD ON BEHALF OF HUMAN TOUCH
IN PATENT INFRINGEMENT ACTION
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Jury Validates ‘940 Patent’ Of
Leading Distributor of Robotic Massage LOS ANGELES, Calif. (Sept. 25, 2008)—Intellectual property law firm Christie, Parker & Hale, LLP today announced a U.S. District Court jury awarded $1.7 million in damages to its client, Human Touch® LLC, in a patent infringement action brought against WFO Imports LLC, which does business as Premier Health Products. Human Touch is the largest marketer of Robotic Massage® chairs in the United States. The patent at issue, U.S. Patent No. 6,629,940 (referred to as the ‘940 patent), describes a new and greatly improved lower leg massage mechanism used in the footrest portion of a massage chair. It has a unique paddle design and movement that provides a three-dimensional massage up and down a user's calf and lower leg. Human Touch is the exclusive licensee of the patent, which is owned by Daito Electric Machine Industry Co., the manufacturer of the Human Touch® line of massage chairs. Human Touch filed suit against defendant WFO Imports LLC in 2006 in the Central District of California, alleging that WFO Imports LLC infringed the '940 patent through its sales of over 5,000 chairs with lower leg massagers. The jury recognized the validity of the '940 patent and awarded Human Touch $1.7 million in damages. In a related action, Christie, Parker & Hale announced separately today that another U.S. District Court jury awarded $4.55 million to Human Touch on trademark, trade dress, and unfair competition claims brought against American Lighting Industry, Inc. and other parties. Attorneys David Dillard and Art Hasan led the Christie, Parker & Hale legal team that prosecuted the case. "We are very pleased that the jury recognized the truly innovative nature of this invention," Dillard said. "Imitation may be the highest form of flattery, but not when it comes at fundamental risk to Human Touch’s business and immense goodwill the company enjoys with consumers and in the industry." Christie, Parker & Hale has served as intellectual property legal counsel to Human Touch (formerly Interactive Health LLC) since 1995. It also represents a wide range of consumer-goods manufacturers and distributors in patent prosecution, litigation and licensing matters. About Human Touch® LLC Human Touch®, the U.S. market leader of robotic massage products, offers advanced technology and designs for consumers seeking to incorporate health and wellness into their everyday routine. Appealing to back pain sufferers, sports enthusiasts, and those looking to relax from today's hectic lifestyles, Human Touch® delivers high-quality Robotic Massage® chairs, zero gravity recliners, and other massage products that are generations ahead of the competition. Human Touch® currently sells products to specialty stores, fine furniture stores across the country, on-line at www.humantouch.com, as well as international retailers and distributors in more than 48 countries worldwide. About Christie, Parker & Hale Christie, Parker & Hale is a leading intellectual property law firm operating at the intersection of science, technology and the law. Engaged exclusively in all aspects of intellectual property law, most of the firm’s attorneys hold degrees in engineering or the sciences, bringing added value and perspective to client service. Drawing on a 54-year heritage, the firm continues to propel innovation and stimulate business growth by protecting its clients’ most valuable assets -- intellectual property. # # # |
