THE WHAT? A U.S. appeals court has ruled that L’Oréal SA is to face a patent lawsuit brought against it by the The University of Massachusetts and a Christian religious order over some of its skin cream brands.
THE DETAILS According to a report by Reuters, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit ruled that a Delaware federal judge had incorrectly misconstrued part of UMass’ skin-cream patents when it found them invalid last year.
UMass and Carmel Laboratories filed a lawsuit against L’Oréal and its U.S. subsidiary in a Delaware federal court in 2017, stating that the company’s RevitaLift moisturizer, as well as unnamed products for Maybelline, Lancôme, and other L’Oréal brands, use UMass’ technology for skin creams with the chemical adenosine.
According to the lawsuit, Carmel Laboratories is a subsidiary of the Teresian Carmelites, a religious group that licenses the UMass patents to make Easeamine anti-aging face cream, with the proceeds of the sales supporting the groups’ charity work.
THE WHY? Despite adopting UMass’ proposed construction of the patents, the Delaware Court later found them to be too vague.
However, the Federal Circuit has now reinstated the patents, finding them to cover a specific amount of adenosine applied to the skin’s surface.
The appeals court stated its decision ‘eliminates an important premise’ of the invalidity ruling, sending the case back for further proceedings.
In further developments, the Federal Circuit rejected L’Oréal’s request to rule that it did not infringe, as well as giving UMass and Carmel a fresh change to argue that France-based L’Oréal SA should have to face the case in addition to L’Oréal USA Inc.
Aesthetic products generally refer to a broad category of items designed to enhance or improve one's appearance, often focusing on skincare, beauty, and personal grooming. These products are typically used to maintain or enhance physical attractiveness and may include a wide range of items intended for both professional and personal use. Here are some common types of aesthetic products:
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Skincare Products: Including cleansers, moisturizers, serums, and treatments designed to address various skin concerns such as acne, aging, hyperpigmentation, and sensitivity.
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Cosmetics: Makeup products such as foundations, concealers, eyeliners, lipsticks, and eyeshadows used to enhance facial features and achieve desired looks.
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Hair Care Products: Shampoos, conditioners, styling products, and treatments to maintain and improve the health and appearance of hair.
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Fragrances: Perfumes and colognes used to enhance personal scent and attractiveness.
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Dental Care Products: Toothpaste, mouthwash, whitening treatments, and dental floss aimed at maintaining oral hygiene and enhancing smile aesthetics.
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Personal Grooming Tools: Including razors, electric shavers, trimmers, and grooming kits used for hair removal and personal hygiene.
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Beauty Devices: Devices such as facial cleansing brushes, LED light therapy masks, and microcurrent devices designed for at-home skincare treatments.
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Nutritional Supplements: Supplements aimed at promoting skin health, hair growth, and overall well-being, often containing vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
