Human Touch, the leading brand of high-performance, design-oriented massage chairs for today’s modern and traditional living spaces, announced today that it has been awarded partial summary judgment by the U.S. District Court in its lawsuit against KingKong USA, Inc., American Lighting, Inc. and WFO Imports LLC, which does business as Premier Health Products, for infringement of its exclusive patent rights directed to key aspects of its Human Touch massage technology.
The Court ruled that a number of massage chairs marketed and sold by the defendants infringe the patent-in-suit, namely the KingKong USA paddle style Caesar and semi-parallel type Legacy Deluxe massage chairs and Premier Health Products’ PHP 2024, 2026, 2026w and 2027 massage chairs. Human Touch intends to seek a ruling by the Court that other massage chairs with the same or similar lower leg massagers also violate the patent, including the KingKong USA Mercury massage chair and Premier Health Products’ PHP 2022 and PHP 2030 massage chairs.
Over the past three decades, Human Touch (formerly Interactive Health LLC) has invested millions of dollars into developing its proprietary technologies to effectively replicate the massage movements of professional massage therapists. After Human Touch became aware that both KingKong USA, Inc. and WFO Imports LLC were manufacturing and distributing massage chairs that incorporated its proprietary lower leg massage technology, Human Touch investigated and filed suit against them in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. The successful rulings to date in the suit follow more than 14 months of efforts by Human Touch and its attorneys.
“As a pioneer and continued leader in the development of massage technology, Human Touch holds numerous patents and trademarks and is known for developing, marketing and branding innovative technology for more than 20 years,” said Andrew Cohen, President of Human Touch. “Our retail partners, distributors and consumers are accustomed to knowing that there is a difference when enjoying the comforts of a Human Touch branded massage chair and we will take all necessary measures to ensure that our consumers are never deceived by competitors.”
David Dillard and Art Hasan of Christie, Parker & Hale LLP are the lead trial lawyers for Human Touch in this suit. “We are pleased with the Court’s summary judgment ruling. We will go to great lengths on behalf of our client Human Touch to protect and enforce their most valuable intellectual property rights. We look forward to continuing our successful efforts through the remainder of the suit,” said Mr. Dillard.
About Human Touch™
Human Touch™, the U.S. market leader of premier 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. Wholly owned by Interactive Health®, Human Touch™ currently sells products through back care specialty stores, fine furniture stores across the country, on-line at http://www.humantouch.com as well as through 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.