Press Release: For Immediate Release
August 28, 2024 – Gilboa, NY
Owners of SnugglyCat® Accuses Trixie Pet USA of Ripple Rug® Patent Infringement
SnugglyCat, an innovator in pet products, has announced that Trixie Pet USA’s latest cat toy, the ‘Cat Activity Adventure Carpet’, violates Ripple Rug®’s patents. The ‘Cat Activity Adventure Carpet’, AKA ‘Strategy Game Treasure Hunt’, sold by various companies including Amazon, Tractor Supply, Walmart, E-Bay, and by Tucker Murphy Pet on Wayfair, infringes upon the ‘Ripple Rug®,’ which holds four US patents. Namely US Patents # 10,070,623 | 10,334,824 | 10,701,898 and 11,730,143.
Notably, the ‘Ripple Rug’ stands out for its eco-friendly design, crafted from recycled plastic bottles in the USA. In contrast, Trixie’s product, manufactured overseas from polyester, lacks both sustainable and quality credentials.
Fred Ruckel, the inventor and owner of the ‘Ripple Rug,’ stated, “We’ve reached out several times to Trixie, to let them know that they are in violation of our patents. However, as a big corporation, Trixie doesn’t care and is ignoring the little guy. They are most concerned about making dollars and don’t care if they are forcing a small American mom and pop business to close its doors.”
Additionally, Natasha Ruckel, co-owner of SnugglyCat, remarked, “I find it ironic that their website descriptor reads ‘Your unwavering support has fueled our passion and inspired us to reach new heights.’ It’s disgusting to think that their new heights are to infringe and copy other people’s products. We know how their passion is fueled – through dishonest dollars.”
SnugglyCat plans to take legal action against Trixie Pet USA and will inform the public about the alleged lack of integrity in Trixie’s business practices. This incident is not the first case of SnugglyCat’s Ripple Rug product being copied. The issue of knock-offs targeting successful products is widespread. More details about a similar Ripple Rug lawsuit can be found as a multiple-page article in Entrepreneur magazine: https://www.entrepreneur.com/growing-a-business/patents-and-copyright-lawyers-what-to-do-if-someone-steals/315142
For more information, please contact:
Fred Ruckel, Inventor, SnugglyCat Inc. (212) 949 7449
SnugglyCat Inc. was created by a cat named Yoda (and her human parents Fred and Natasha Ruckel). The Ripple Rug® has four US patents: # 10,070,623 | 10,334,824 | 10,701,898 and 11,730,143. SnugglyCat works with ten different companies based in the USA, (located in six states). Over 120 American workers help in the manufacture and distribution of the Ripple Rug. Snuggly Cat’s Ripple Rug is a best-selling ‘Pet Enrichment System’. Made using recycled plastic bottles in the USA. The Ripple Rug helps provide a safe environment for many household pets since 2015. (ripplerug.com)