VIBRATING TOOTHBRUSH PATENTS ENFORCED
Posted by Douglas Sorocco, July 14, 2004 at 4:54 pm
Philips Electronics has accused Gillette Co. of violating patents on its electric toothbrush technology embodied in its Sonicare line of electric toothbrushes. Philips alleges that Gillette's Oral-B line of electric toothbrushes use Phillips' patented microprocessors that direct toothbrush bristle movement.
The lawsuit was filed in Germany as well as in the Federal District Court in Delaware.
According to one newsreport in the Financial Times:
According to Philips, Gillette's Oral-B Sonic Complete toothbrush violates patents held on the Sonicare toothbrush line. Both products have heads that move back and forth rather than circularly and emit a characteristic buzzing sound. Gillette said in April that the new Oral-B Sonic would contribute significantly to financial performance this year. The group's oral care division has been an engine of growth in recent years