Tulsa, OK (Apr. 17, 2007) — SeboTek Hearing Systems LLC ("SeboTek") announced today that suit has been filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma, against Oticon, Phonak, Interton, GN-Resound and Vivatone for infringement of patented speaker-in-the-canal designs and technology used in the SeboTek PACTM digital hearing instrument.
The suit was filed against Oticon, Inc.; William Demant Holding A/S; Phonak, Inc.; Phonak LLC; Phonak AG; Phonak Holding AG; American Hearing Systems, Inc. d/b/a Interton USA; Interton, Inc.; Interton Horgerate GmbH; GN Hearing Care Corporation; GN Store Nord A/S; and Vivatone Hearing Systems, LLC.
The suit alleges that the named defendants have infringed one or more of the following patents issued by the United States Patent Office: U.S. Patent Nos. 5,606,621; 7,139,404; 7,016,512; and 7,110,562. The suit seeks damages and an injunction against the manufacture and distribution of instruments that infringe the patents in question. The international law firm of Fulbright & Jaworski, LLP and leading Tulsa, Oklahoma firm, Pray, Walker, Jackman, Williamson & Marlar represent the plaintiffs.
"We designed, developed and introduced a very unique concept to the hearing aid industry," said SeboTek President, Jim Feeley. "Ultimately, the goal in creation of the PAC was to create a hearing system that would change the traditional fitting process and improve the overall consumer experience."
The PAC-style devices are accounted for by the Hearing Industry Association ("HIA") in the behind-the-ear ("BTE") category because the PAC-style includes a BTE component and a speaker-in-the-canal component. Since the launch of the SeboTek PAC in 2003, HIA has reported a tremendous surge in sales of BTE devices.
In 2006 these devices comprised nearly 50% of the United States market, compared to only 22% in 2003.
"There is no question that PAC-style hearing instruments have gained wide-spread acceptance," said Feeley. "And while it is unfortunate that we have had to file this suit, we take matters such as these very seriously, and will not hesitate to pursue all appropriate legal channels to protect our rights."
SeboTek's products are protected by U.S. Patents 5,606,621; D501,255; 7,139,404; 7,016,512; 7,110,562; D529,612; plus foreign patents and other patents pending.
About SeboTek Hearing Systems LLC.
Headquartered in Tulsa, Okla., SeboTek Hearing Systems manufactures and distributes the PAC, the first-ever speaker-in-the-canal hearing instrument. The PAC's exclusive InFocus™ approach totally integrates advanced patented design and leading-edge technology to provide an extremely discreet same session fitting that is clinically proven to eliminate occlusion effect. The PAC fits hearing loss from a mild, high frequency hearing loss to a flat severe-to-profound hearing loss, and everything in between. It is available in multiple models to meet a wide range of consumer preferences and budgetary considerations. SeboTek launched the PAC style hearing instrument in 2003, and its products continue to gain wide-spread acceptance throughout the U.S. and around the world.
Visit www.sebotek.com for more information or the Sebotek Web Channel on Audiology Online at www.audiologyonline.com/channels/sebotek.asp
