Dbrand files lawsuit against Casetify over purportedly copied case and skin designs

In a legal move that could potentially cost Casetify millions, accessory manufacturer Dbrand has initiated a lawsuit alleging intellectual property theft. The lawsuit contends that Casetify unlawfully replicated the distinctive designs of Dbrand’s “transparent” Teardown products, which include skins and cases developed in collaboration with popular YouTuber Zack “JerryRigEverything” Nelson. These Teardown products are renowned for their intricate designs mimicking the internal components of various devices, ranging from smartphones and laptops to gaming systems.

IPR infringement:

Dbrand and Nelson assert that Casetify infringed upon their intellectual property by incorporating identical designs into its own “Inside Out” product line. Nelson emphasizes the painstaking efforts undertaken to ensure accuracy in representing the inner workings of devices through Teardown skins. Moreover, he claims that the collaborative team incorporates hidden Easter eggs for enthusiasts to discover within the designs. The accusation against Casetify includes the alleged unauthorized use of a poorly masked version of a label found on Teardown products, featuring Nelson’s signature phrase, “glass is glass, and glass breaks.”

Nelson further critiques Casetify in a video and corresponding thread on X (formerly Twitter), highlighting issues such as a perceived lack of print quality in Casetify’s cases, which he describes as “extraordinarily subpar.” Notably, the collaborators allege that Dbrand’s logo even appears on a Casetify case, heightening the gravity of the intellectual property dispute.

Dbrand and Casetify Rivalries: 

The roots of this legal clash trace back to earlier this year when an X user claimed that Casetify was marketing a “transparent” case for a Samsung phone that paradoxically displayed the internals of an iPhone. Dbrand seized the opportunity to mock Casetify for the apparent oversight, setting the stage for the ongoing legal drama between the two accessory giants.

By Thursday afternoon, mere hours following the release of accusations by Nelson and Dbrand, Casetify swiftly removed every product from its Inside Out line from its website. Engadget has reached out to Casetify for an official statement on the matter. In the midst of this unfolding controversy, Dbrand and Nelson seized the moment to introduce a fresh collection of X-ray skins.

At first glance, the notion of appropriating a design inspired by the inner mechanisms of a phone may seem challenging, especially considering that JerryRigEverything did not engineer the phones serving as the basis for these designs.

However, the essence of Dbrand and JerryRigEverything’s argument lies in the nuances. Both parties contend that these designs incorporate intricate Easter eggs, elements not reflective of the authentic internal workings of the respective phones.