Kwikset, Lake Forest, Calif., provider of door hardware and locksets, amended a previously filed patent infringement lawsuit against Schlage Lock Company LLC, Carmel, Ind., alleging that Schlage’s advertising and packaging for the Schlage SecureKey product contains false and misleading statements—principally that SecureKey products are “10 Times more secure” than other lock products.
The suit has been filed in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware. The patent infringement lawsuit alleges that Schlage SecureKey products infringe U.S. Patent No. 7,213,429 titled "Rekeyable Lock Assembly," issued on May 8, 2007 and U.S. Patent No. 7,434,431 titled "Keying System and Method," issued on October 14, 2008.
In addition to claiming false advertising, Kwikset seeks an injunction against Schlage for further acts of false advertising, as well as monetary damages.
Schlage believes that Kwikset's claims are without merit.
“When we set out to design the SecureKey product, we wanted an innovative product that provided a higher level of security than any other product in our channel, not just a new lock,” said John Evans, vice president of Marketing and Product Management for the Residential Solutions Sector of Ingersoll Rand, the parent company of Schlage. “Our SecureKey product includes neither of the claimed features covered by the two Kwikset patents, and we are confident that the statements used in the sale and advertisements of our products, in their entirety, are correct.”
Schlage believes the Kwikset lawsuit was filed for the improper purpose of attempting to impact Schlage's release of the SecureKey rekeyable lock technology into the marketplace. Schlage intends to fully and vigorously defend its rights in the lawsuit and will seek damages from Kwikset for being forced to defend itself against these baseless claims.
Kwikset introduced SmartKey re-key technology in April 2007. Schlage introduced SecureKey in mid-January 2010.
Natalia Kosk
Security Dealer & Integrator
