Amway’s Lawsuit Against Nikken Dismissed

A federal judge has dismissed Amway Corp.’s lawsuit accusing Irvine-based Nikken U.S.A. Inc. of copying patented designs for pain-blocking magnets. Amway, headquartered in Ada, Mich., filed the suit in Nashville in June. The direct marketing giant alleged that shortly after it introduced a line of magnetic pads that purportedly block pain signals from reaching the brain, Nikken did too. Nikken countersued in U.S. District Court in Santa Ana, accusing Amway of improperly interfering with its business. Nikken said it has marketed magnets for decades and claimed Amway was attempting to block its products for competitive reasons. Amway’s case was dismissed after the company missed a deadline to respond to a Nikken motion. Nikken executives said they will continue to pursue their claim. Nikken, which has sales of about $1 billion, sells nutritional supplements and relaxation products such as mattress pads and pillows as well as magnets.