Sensor-Controlling Vibe Line at Center of New Patent Lawsuit

NEW YORK—Another pleasure products manufacturer has been hit with an infringement suit over sensor-controlling vibrators. North Bergen, N.J.-based Nasstoys was recently sued at Manhattan federal court for allegedly infringing on U.S. Patent No. 9,844,486, assigned to American Latex Corp., with its Touch Extreme Vibrations, Touch Me Vibe and Touch the Wave products. Chatsworth, Calif.-based American Latex has filed similar patent infringement suits against Svakom, Doc Johnson, CalExotics and Odeco, among others. The Patent Office published the patent in 2017 after receiving American Latex’s application in 2010. The same month after getting approval of the patent, American Latex started filing infringement lawsuits for “interactive massaging devices.” U.S. Patent No. 9,844,486 is described as a massaging device that utilizes sensors that produce changes in the operation of the device without requiring a user to manipulate any controls to produce those changes. “The device can be configured as a dildo, including both main and secondary vibrators, the secondary vibrator being within an arm portion that is configured for clitoral stimulation,” the patent filing says. “At least one of the vibrators is automatically driven at increased intensity as penetration increases.” Nasstoys owner and founder Elliot Schwartz told AVN that he couldn’t comment on the lawsuit while it wends its way through the court system.