Walmart lawsuit over sale of patented razor product dismissed

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Walmart razor lawsuit overview: 

• Who: A California federal judge delivered a win to Walmart in a patent violation lawsuit filed against the company by a razor inventor.
• Why: The judge ruled that the inventor did not prove that the new razors Walmart sold infringed on the patent of her own razor design. 
• Where: The Walmart razor lawsuit was filed in a California court.

Walmart did not collude with a supplier to sell razors that were a knockoff of another former supplier’s patented razor design, as alleged in a lawsuit, a California federal judge ruled. 

On Nov. 7, U.S. District Judge Dale A. Drozd granted summary judgment to Walmart and American International Industries in response to a range of claims brought by inventor Sharidan Stiles, including patent infringement and false advertising claims.

Stiles invented the “Stiles Razor,” a patented disposable razor with a narrow blade for precise shaving. 

According to court documents, many years ago, Walmart agreed to sell the Stiles Razor in its stores. However, about 10 years ago, citing dwindling sales that did not justify stocking the product, Walmart terminated the relationship. 

Stiles says she had a consultant look into the sales and found that Walmart did not sell the razors in the correct location and inflated their price. She claims Walmart sold another razor that infringed on her patented product. 

Walmart razor had different features, judge rules

In her lawsuit, Stiles alleged Walmart and its supplier, American International Industries, worked together to create and sell two knockoff razors. 

She claims these knockoff razors infringe her patents, violate trademark and antitrust law and interfere with her economic interests.

However, Judge Drozd sided with Walmart and American International Industries on the lawsuit, writing Stiles “could not prove at trial that the razor claimed in her application is substantially identical to the razor claimed in the utility patent.” While Stiles says the differences between the two razors are “minor,” the judge ruled “they are not.” 

For example, certain features give the Walmart razor a flowing, contoured look and the Stiles Razor an angular, minimalistic look, the judge writes. 

“Differences like these have led district courts to grant summary judgment of non-infringement, and these orders have survived appellate challenges,” he says.

Walmart has faced many class action lawsuits.

A separate Walmart lawsuit alleges the retailer misleads customers and tricks them into subscriptions they don’t want through its subscription service Walmart+.

What do you think of the judgment in this Walmart lawsuit? Let us know in the comments. 

Stiles is represented by Joseph M. Alioto and Tatiana V. Wallace of the Alioto Law Firm and Josephine L. Alioto of the Veen Firm PC.

The Walmart razor lawsuit is Stiles v. Walmart Inc., et al., Case No. 2:14-cv-02234, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California.

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