Category: News

PRESS RELEASE:

Carson, California – November 23, 2020

DMF Lighting, the leader in modular downlighting innovation, announced that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB or Patent Office) entered judgment in favor of DMF in an inter partes proceeding trial instituted at the request of AMP Plus Inc., d/b/a ELCO Lighting (ELCO) to challenge the validity of DMF’s U.S. Patent No. 9,964,266 (“the ‘266 Patent”).  This continues a string of victories by DMF in its litigation against ELCO in the Patent Office and district court that started from ELCO’s improper copying of DMF’s patented DRD2 products.   

In August 2018, DMF filed a patent infringement suit against ELCO in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California in Los Angeles based on ELCO ELL LED products that ELCO copied from DMF’s award-winning DRD2 LED products.   In March 2019, the District Court granted DMF’s request for a preliminary injunction against ELCO and all those acting in concert with ELCO that were selling the accused infringing ELCO ELL products.  On March 19, 2020, the District Court also granted summary judgment in DMF’s favor finding that ELCO infringed ‘266 Patent claims, dismissing ELCO’s unenforceability defenses and dismissing most of ELCO’s validity challenges.  A trial will be held to determine if ELCO also infringes other additional patent claims and to consider ELCO’s remaining validity challenges that are based on two primary pieces of prior art.  That trial has not been scheduled yet due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  

In parallel to the District Court case, ELCO also has tried to invalidate the ‘266 Patent claims in the Patent Office based on the same two pieces of prior art at issue in the District Court.  On March 17, 2020, the Patent Office ruled in DMF’s favor that ELCO’s validity challenge, based on one piece of prior art, did “not demonstrate a reasonable likelihood that [ELCO] will prevail” as to any patent claims. The Patent Office did grant a trial on the other piece of prior art. On November 19, 2020 the Patent Office issued a judgment in DMF’s favor, ruling that ELCO failed to invalidate any of the 22 challenged patent claims except for one claim.

 “We are pleased with the Patent Office decision today, which recognizes the innovative technology of the DRD2. DMF invests heavily in research and development to create innovative solutions in lighting.”

Michael Danesh, DMF COO.

About DMF Lighting 

DMF brings a creative approach to lighting and offers industry-leading technology that sets the bar for performance, quality, and flexibility. At our in-house Research and Development lab, our engineers and designers are constantly pushing boundaries and refining product to ensure that our products consistently exceed expectations. Every DMF product delivers outstanding performance, reliability and aesthetics. DMF LED lights produce accurate color rendering, smooth dimming, and have low power consumption. 

At DMF, we understand that light is more than illumination; light is what makes a space beautiful, useful, and ultimately, enjoyable. 

Official Press Release

Honoring technical excellence and product innovation, the CEDIA Awards encompass nearly every aspect of the home technology industry, including hardware, software and projects. The DID was awarded Best New Hardware Product for its flexibility during and after installation. Its modular design allows it to adapt to changing homeowner preferences, future room designs, and even retrofits.

Winners were announced last week at the 2020 Americas CEDIA Awards Virtual Ceremony. Watch a brief clip of the DID being named the Best New Hardware Product.

About CEDIA Awards

The CEDIA Awards projects represent the finest in the design and installation of residential technology. From whole home audio to lighting systems, from dedicated home cinemas and media rooms to networking and automation solutions, you’re sure to find inspiration and ideas when it comes to custom electronics for the home.

These residential technology integrations are all built to ensure that the tech you’ll find here are aesthetically beautiful — if not invisible or hidden — and incredibly easy to use. 

Simply put, this is what CEDIA members do best: Designing custom technology solutions to create for you a “Life Lived Best at Home.”

Learn more about the DID Series.

Contact us for more details, including preliminary specs and availability.

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As a critical infrastructure, it’s essential that construction sites receive products on time. That’s why we’re continuing to ship and receive during the COVID-19 crisis, while of course following established guidelines regarding contact free deliveries, regularly disinfecting and social distancing to ensure the health and safety of our customers and employees.

We know how to deliver

Contractors, distributors and specifiers depend on the availability, speed and delivery accuracy of our products. Our strategically positioned Southern California warehouse is assembling, stocking and shipping as usual. Even during these uncertain times, most standard orders received before noon go out that same day.

As always, our team is available via email and phone to assist with orders, inventory and lead times.

Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions.

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Thank you to Power Design for letting DMF Lighting be a partner at Super Summit, a 3-day event full of engaging workshops, leadership development, food, and action!

DMF even got in on some of the games with our own unique twist on cornhole. Instead of traditional bean bags, we played with DRD2s to demonstrate its incredible impact resistance. The module survived over 100 tosses and still worked!

PDI Super Summit

We look forward to future events and partnerships! Congratulations again to Power Design on a successful first event!

Learn more about Power Designs Here

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Connect on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter to stay up to date with everything that’s happening at DMF Lighting.