SeboTek Group Files Patent Infringement Lawsuit
SeboTek Group Files Patent Infringement Lawsuit Against Oticon,
Phonak, Interton, GN-Resound, and Vivatone for Speaker-in-the-Canal
Technology
Editor: I've been wondering when we'd see some lawsuits related to
all the new open-fit hearing aids. When all the manufacturers come out
with new products that are revolutionary, but similar, it seems that
there would have to be disputes about who came up with what and when.
Here's a press release about a SeobTek lawsuit against several hearing
aid manufacturers.
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TULSA, OK (Apr. 17, 2007) - SeboTek Hearing Systems LLC ("SeboTek")
announced today that suit has been filed in the United States District
Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma, against Oticon, Phonak,
Interton, GN-Resound and Vivatone for infringement of patented
speaker-in-the-canal designs and technology used in the SeboTek PAC(tm)
digital hearing instrument.
The suit was filed against Oticon, Inc.; William Demant Holding A/S;
Phonak, Inc.; Phonak LLC; Phonak AG; Phonak Holding AG; American Hearing
Systems, Inc. d/b/a Interton USA; Interton, Inc.; Interton Horgerate
GmbH; GN Hearing Care Corporation; GN Store Nord A/S; and Vivatone
Hearing Systems, LLC.
The suit alleges that the named defendants have infringed one or more
of the following patents issued by the United States Patent Office: U.S.
Patent Nos. 5,606,621; 7,139,404; 7,016,512; and 7,110,562. The suit
seeks damages and an injunction against the manufacture and distribution
of instruments that infringe the patents in question. The international
law firm of Fulbright & Jaworski, LLP and leading Tulsa, Oklahoma
firm, Pray, Walker, Jackman, Williamson & Marlar represent the
plaintiffs.
"We designed, developed and introduced a very unique concept to
the hearing aid industry," said SeboTek President, Jim Feeley.
"Ultimately, the goal in creation of the PAC was to create a
hearing system that would change the traditional fitting process and
improve the overall consumer experience."
The PAC-style devices are accounted for by the Hearing Industry
Association ("HIA") in the behind-the-ear ("BTE")
category because the PAC-style includes a BTE component and a
speaker-in-the-canal component. Since the launch of the SeboTek PAC in
2003, HIA has reported a tremendous surge in sales of BTE devices. In
2006 these devices comprised nearly 50% of the United States market,
compared to only 22% in 2003.
"There is no question that PAC-style hearing instruments have
gained wide-spread acceptance," said Feeley. "And while it is
unfortunate that we have had to file this suit, we take matters such as
these very seriously, and will not hesitate to pursue all appropriate
legal channels to protect our rights."
SeboTek's products are protected by U.S. Patents 5,606,621; D501,255;
7,139,404; 7,016,512; 7,110,562; D529,612; plus foreign patents and
other patents pending.
About SeboTek Hearing Systems LLC.
Headquartered in Tulsa, Okla., SeboTek Hearing Systems manufactures
and distributes the PAC, the first-ever speaker-in-the-canal hearing
instrument. The PAC's exclusive InFocus(tm) approach totally integrates
advanced patented design and leading-edge technology to provide an
extremely discreet same session fitting that is clinically proven to
eliminate occlusion effect. The PAC fits hearing loss from a mild, high
frequency hearing loss to a flat severe-to-profound hearing loss, and
everything in between. It is available in multiple models to meet a wide
range of consumer preferences and budgetary considerations. SeboTek
launched the PAC style hearing instrument in 2003, and its products
continue to gain wide-spread acceptance throughout the U.S. and around
the world. For more information, www.sebotek.com.
