OtterBox Withdraws Its ITC Complaint Against Tech21

EEL PIE ISLAND, TWICKENHAM, UNITED KINGDOM--(Marketwired - Sep 14, 2015) - Tech21 UK Limited is pleased to announce that Otter Products LLC has withdrawn its complaint against Tech21 at the United States International Trade Commission. The investigation, styled In the Matter of Certain Protective Cases for Electronic Devices and Components Thereof, Inv. No. 337-TA-955, concerned OtterBox's allegations that Tech21 infringed U.S. Patents 8,792,232 and 8,976,512, which issued in 2014 and 2015 respectively. 

OtterBox filed the complaint in March 2015 seeking an order barring importation of Tech21's popular Evo Mesh™ and Classic Check™ phone cases, among others. Tech21 responded to the complaint, denying that it infringed any valid or enforceable patents. OtterBox prosecuted the matter for six months before withdrawing the complaint without any settlement. On September 9, 2015, Chief Administrative Law Judge Charles E. Bullock issued an Initial Determination terminating the investigation. The ITC has 30 days to review the termination. 

"Withdrawing the complaint was the right thing to do. Tech21's products do not infringe any valid or enforceable OtterBox patents," said Tech21 CEO Jason Roberts. "Tech21 looks forward to continuing to offer unique and innovative impact protection to the US market, as it has for nearly a decade." 

Since 2005, Tech21 has been developing the most advanced, scientifically proven protective cases and screen shields for mobile devices worldwide. It is now the 3^rd best selling case brand and the fastest-growing major case manufacturer in the U.S.*. Tech21 has developed the most advanced impact protection on the market -- FlexShock™. This ultra-thin and lightweight material absorbs and dissipates force and can withstand drops up to 6.6 feet. For more information, visit www.tech21.com.

Tech21 was represented at the ITC by David B. Owsley II of Stites & Harbison PLLC and David F. Nickel of Foster Murphy Altman & Nickel.

*The NPD Group, Inc Research: NPD POS Quarterly data: (Feb-July 2015)