Spin Master shoots down more mini heli knockoffs
By Staff -- Playthings, 4/15/2008 9:14:00 AM
TORONTO—Silverlit Toys and Spin Master, manufacturer and distributor, respectively, of the AirHogs Havoc Heli, today announced their latest success in stopping competing products the pair deem knock-offs of the popular R/C micro helicopter.
Silverlit and Spin Master said they’ve settled a case making its way through the U.S. District Court in Atlanta against Westminster Inc. and an unnamed retailer sparked by the similarities between Westminster’s Thunder Wolf mini copter and the Havoc Heli.
The terms of the settlement include ceasing Thunder Wolf’s sales by Westminster and at retail, for the retailer to collect and destroy its remaining inventory of the toy and for Westminster to pay for past sales. The terms will be enforced by a court order.
In October 2007, Spin Master announced the suit against Westminster. At the time, it identified the retailer as KB Toys.
''We will continue to protect our interests in this manner and show that if our rights are infringed we will act,” said Spin Master CEO Anton Rabie of the company’s latest courtroom success.
Added Eddie Wong, director of sales and marketing for Silverlit: “We spend thousands each year on the patents and seeking to protect the Havoc Heli. It is an ongoing battle but the message is still the same: We will not allow any third party to infringe our patents and if you refuse to cease selling the product we shall issue proceedings and put you out of business.”
Silverlit and Spin Master recently filed a lawsuit against Soft Air USA Inc., of Grapevine, Texas, for its MicroCopter. In February, Soft Air recalled 30,000 of them for safety reasons.
