Dbrand Files Lawsuit Against Casetify Over Alleged Design Infringement

Dbrand, an accessory manufacturer, has initiated a "multi-million dollar" lawsuit against competitor Casetify. The dispute centers around allegations that Casetify plagiarized designs from Dbrand's Teardown series, a range of 'transparent' skins and cases created in partnership with YouTuber Zack "JerryRigEverything" Nelson. These products are designed to mimic the internal components of various devices, including smartphones and laptops.

Nelson and Dbrand assert that they meticulously craft each Teardown skin to accurately represent the device's interior, even incorporating unique Easter eggs for enthusiasts. However, they claim that Casetify's "Inside Out" line not only copies these designs but also includes a veiled version of a Teardown label featuring Nelson's signature phrase, "glass is glass, and glass breaks.” Additionally, they allege that Dbrand's logo appears on a Casetify product and criticize the print quality of Casetify's cases as "extraordinarily subpar."

Just when you thought it couldn't get any worse...

Using our designs to cover up our own designs doesn't make it a new product @Casetify. pic.twitter.com/kQBhuYHGuz — JerryRigEverything (@ZacksJerryRig) November 23, 2023

The controversy reportedly began earlier in the year when Casetify was accused of selling a transparent case for a Samsung phone that displayed iPhone internals. Following this incident, Casetify launched its Inside Out series, which Dbrand and Nelson allege replicates the Teardown line's modified designs too closely.

Filed in a Toronto court, Dbrand's lawsuit claims copyright infringement by Casetify on 45 Inside Out products, seeking unspecified punitive and exemplary damages. Shortly after the allegations surfaced online, Casetify withdrew all Inside Out products from its website and responded with a statement affirming its commitment to originality. The company also mentioned investigating a DDOS attack coinciding with the copyright allegation's emergence, ensuring that customer data remains secure. Meanwhile, Dbrand and Nelson have unveiled a new collection of X-ray skins amidst the ongoing legal dispute.