LOS ANGELES (AP) — A company that distributes some of the hottest-selling scooters has won a restraining order against rival companies that are accused of a patent violation.
A federal judge issued the temporary restraining order Tuesday against 12 companies that make or sell aluminum scooters similar to ones distributed by Razor USA.
The judge issued the order at the request of Razor, which sued 16 makers and distributors of rival scooters, claiming the companies violated a recently issued patent on a key design component. Razor also said they copied distinctive features of its scooters in an attempt to confuse consumers.
The order prohibits the companies from making or selling the scooters through Dec. 4, when a hearing is scheduled on a preliminary injunction that would extend the ban until a trial could be held.
Razor reached out-of-court agreements with several companies Tuesday, leaving 12 defendants.
Razor, based in Cerritos, Calif., sells scooters made by Taiwan-based JD Corp. It was assigned a U.S. patent on Oct. 31 for the rear fender of its scooter, which acts as a brake when stepped on. The next day, the company filed its patent infringement lawsuit.
In September, the Razor was the top-selling toy in the nation based on total sales, according to the NPD Group, which tracks toy sales.