Armed with new patent, LuMee pledges ‘knock-off’ crackdown

Illuminated smartphone case firm LuMee has been awarded a US patent that it says will help it challenge cheap copies of its products in the market.

The patent (No 9,442,346) “significantly strengthens LuMee's intellectual property position and will allow LuMee to expand its technology through product innovations” it said, pledging that it will maintain strenuous efforts to drive low-quality “knock-offs” from the market.

LuMee claims to be the first company to bring the illuminated, LED-lit smart phone case to market, making the product available to people in the US and around the world since 2014. The ‘selfie’ cases typically retail for around $40-$70 apiece.

These products “have made various claims, such as having innovations that precede LuMee technology, or allegedly rival the LuMee product,” continued the company, which says enforcement operations have resulted in a number of arrests, including felony charges of trademark counterfeiting.

The copies “contain cheaply made, and potentially hazardous components,” it added. “LuMee is currently placing companies and manufacturers on notice for their violation of LuMee's brand and IP rights, and will continue to vigorously pursue these matters.”

LuMee’s defence of the IP for its cases and accessories has seen it get involved in various legal disputes, including a wrangle with CaseMate.

It has also been on the receiving end of some lawsuits. Earlier this year another rival company SnapLight sued Kim Kardashian’s company Kimsaprincess, which has promoted LuMee’s cases since 2015, claiming $100m in damages for alleged patent infringement. SnapLight has also sued retailer Urban Outfitters for “benefitting financially” from the sale of LuMee cases.