Before I dive into today’s update, I wanted to first thank all of you who have been patiently waiting, or asking questions or telling us your stories. There are progress reports to come for you, but today we’re sharing breaking news. We last shared with you some of the buzz about Basis at CES. That excitement was apparently not lost on other players in the industry. Shortly after CES, a company called BodyMedia announced that they intended to sue Basis.
And, then… you heard nothing. Neither did we. After we read their press release (which is how we heard), months went by and no suit was served. That seemed odd, to say the least, and we began to wonder if it was all just a publicity maneuver. In fact, the case was within days of being dismissed outright for lack of action when we finally did officially get served this week. Today, we filed our response.
For those of you unfamiliar with BodyMedia, they make an armband sensor device for weight loss. Their suit claims we are infringing on their intellectual property, which is to say they think we are using ideas that they invented and own exclusively. Of course, we believe in the value of legitimate intellectual property. But, in this case, we believe their claims are baseless. Here’s why.
To begin, since we have not launched, they have no firsthand knowledge of our product upon which to base their assumptions. What’s more, our product has continually evolved as we worked through development, testing and feedback. Beyond that, there are stacks of evidence that the ideas BodyMedia is claiming as their own existed well beforehand in other products and in other patents. Legally, this “prior art” calls into question the validity of their patents in the first place. The court will now get to take a good look at that, which stands to benefit the whole emerging category of devices and services for health.
And, that brings us to what I feel is the larger point here. The mission of companies like ours is to help people live healthier lives. Whether you read research studies or the daily news, it’s clear that our health system and our collective quality of life badly need that help. It is one of the great issues of our day. This new category of smart, connected health tools is only now starting to reach beyond fitness and data enthusiasts to touch the lives of millions of everyday people trying to make improvements. Undermining each other and suffocating better ideas works against that greater good.
Unfortunately, rather than serve the cause or simply compete on the merits of their product, BodyMedia appears focused on hindering our launch. If protecting their business interests is BodyMedia’s primary concern, I would comfort them that the need is plenty broad enough – the market is certainly big enough – that meaningful products can coexist and thrive. But, they have not approached us with concerns so that we could put their minds to rest. They have not tried to validate their assumptions with us. Instead, they have resorted to this time-consuming (and expensive) distraction.
But, it will not prevent our launch. We have come too far to be bullied from our path. We have the support of the facts as well as investors and you, our future customers. We have the resources to persevere. We cannot allow advancements in health to be so easily choked.
In the meantime, we’ll focus our energies on our product and user experience. We’ll share more of our progress and latest insights with you next time.
Sincerely,
Jef
CEO, Basis
MY ALLEGIANCE IS TO BASIS. CAN’T WAIT FOR A RELEASE DATE. WOOOOAAAAHHH IN CAPS.
Thank you for the update, I look forward to what I hope will be an amazing device. Keep it up!
I understand the need to keep hush as you awaited the proper legal “stuff” and also lawyer advice as to what you can/can’t say and all that. I agree that there is a greater need and that the market can be served by both products. For me personally, this would be a better option. I had no intentions of buying the other product before, I still don’t, and I won’t. Even if I liked their product, which *I* think is hideous, I wouldn’t buy it because clearly their morals and ethics are not ones which I would support and that plays into what products and companies I support. I can’t wait for more good news from Basis as I’m Team Basis all the way on this. I’m glad they didn’t drive you into the ground legally and financially based on dirty tactics and I hope you come out ahead and that you win by succeeding. Good luck and I’m anxiously waiting for the day I can support you through a purchase. I’m even more excited for what I hope to some day be a gen 2 device based on what I know today of the B1. I love my fitbit, Runkeeper (with Android phone), MP3s from Android phone, and have come to like my Nike+ GPS watch as well. If a “B2″ could have GPS I’d be ecstatic and if Bluetooth could connect to be able to swipe to skip tracks etc on MP3s while my phone resided in a TuneBelt on my waist….I’d be thrilled beyond belief. Just having a sleek interface for the body metrics the B1 can provide is exciting though. I don’t use a HRM right now because I HATE the chest straps. Good luck guys!
Marianne, Thanks for extensive thoughts and support. – Basis
Great to hear from you, and happy to know that your product didn’t die a silent death.
I support Basis all the way. Your product will be so much better. I have first hand experience dealing with Bodymedia. Before I knew about Basis I had tried to contact Bodymedia about possibly becoming a reseller for their product and integrate their dashboard within my website so users can view their data from within my website. It was very difficult trying to get someone on the phone from Bodymedia to answer my questions regarding a reseller partnership. I found Bodymedia to be very unprofessional and they quite frankly only cared about making as much money as possible for themselves instead of wanting to help as many people as possible live a healthier lifestyle. If you go to the Bodymedia website and look at who they are currently partnered with you will notice that it is only big name brands. When I finally got someone on the phone from Bodymedia they flat out told me that they will only partner with big names and I could only become a partner if I bought over $100,000.00 of their arm bands up front. If Bodymedia’s product was so great I should not have pay this much money up front. I found Bodymedia to be very unreasonable. Of course the website I’m trying to launch, XtremeFitness dot com, is not a big name because I would just be getting started. I put off the launch of my website to further research for another good potential partner and that’s when I came across MyBasis.com. I have been paying attention to the progress of the Basis Band ever since. Jef, and the Basis team, do not give up! You will succeed despite Bodymedia’s money driven goals. If a company is truly out to help as many people as possible live a healthier lifestyle then they would be open to partnering with as many good websites/companies as possible, big or small, to resell their great product to as many people as possible. If it where not for The Biggest Loser show know one would hardly know about Bodymedia’s product because they never partnered with anybody. Bodymedia only wanted to hide behind their so called patents and make all the money for theirselves. I believe Basis will be smart enough to offer a good reseller program for their product to be sold by small or big companies to get their product in as many peoples hands as as possible. Basis, please offer a good reseller program, unlike Bodymedia, and let’s get your product in as many peoples hands as possible. Basis, keep up the good work. I know you will succeed. Your product is simply better than Bodymedia’s and they are afraid of any healthy competition. Best regards, Terry from Xtreme Fitness.
I’m glad you guys are still around, and I’m really looking forward to trying out a Basis.
Personally, I used the Bodymedia Fit Armband and had to pay for a monthly subscription (!). I ended up giving it back because it gave me hives because of nickel allergies, plus the fact that wearing the armband under my clothes made me look like I had a tumor on my arm. I wanted to like their product, but it was a no win situation.
Then I learned about the basis band, and honestly, I have been waiting a year for it to come.
I hope this product comes through, because I don’t think it’s the best features of ALL health devices. I’ve had numerous polar watches, pedometers and what not, so YES I am at a loss with tracking my stuff while waiting for this wrist band. Anyhoo, would really appreciate it if you could calm some of us down at least by letting us know if it will come out at all.
Best wishes to this company, and if I had to vote (even without really trying the wrist watch) I would probably choose Basis, even if it is frustrating to wait.
I meant that Basis **HAS ALL the best features a health device could have.
Sorry for the typos. Posting from a touch phone
All the best to the basis team!
I too am eagerly awaiting the basis. I have the bodymedia bodybugg and I’ve had it going on 2 years. I like the data that it gives and helps me to stay on track. However, it’s not pretty. And I tend to be obssesive about tracking my stats I hate to take it off. But it really doesn’t look good with my LBD
And I can’t swim with it. Also paying for a subscription every 6mos is a rip off. So keep up the good work, and thanks for the updates, hope to be wearing a basis monitor by the end of the year!
Don´t hesitate and keep on developing your great idea! Weather what you´re doing – there will be always be someone who will be jealously watching and trying to lay stones in the path. Finely you will make it!
GO TEAM BASIS, GO!
Huge support to you guys. Thanks for keeping us in the loop. I’m patiently–but very, very eagerly–awaiting your launch!
Looking forward to your launch date! I believe in your innovation and “that our health system and our collective quality of life badly need that help”… more, here, in the developing countries! Keep it up!
I hope that this will all work out. I have been patiently waiting for the Basis release and everytime I get an email I get excited, like a kid waiting to open a Christmas present.
I have also used the BodyMedia arm band for over a period of 2 Fall/Winter seasons. I will not wear it in the summer as I too am compulsive and don’t take it off & then I end up with a tan line where the band is that just looks ridiculous
At the end of the is Winter I started having problems with my band, any really strenuous workout caused it to freeze up – kind of defeats the purpose of wearing it when you can’t get accurate information, especially when they charge over $7 a month (this is with taxes). I tell you all of this because I have become very dissatisfied with their product and it is now sitting in a drawer collecting dust.
I am currently just using a MIO watch, it is great having it on my wrist but definitely doesn’t give the accurate information of the BodyMedia and hopefully your product will.
Keep test & please fight with everything you have to beat BodyMedia!
Patiently waiting in New Jersey!!!
Shann