On YouTube, Zack “JerryRigEverything” is successfully providing analyses and tests on smartphones. Additionally, he sells cases and skins for phones and tablets. A company is now said to have used his designs without permission. He intends to take action against this.
What is the situation? The YouTuber JerryRigEverything is mainly known for his review videos on technology, especially smartphones. In collaboration with the accessory manufacturer dbrand, the 35-year-old also has a line of phone and tablet cases and skins.
The designs sold under the “Teardown” label reflect the insides of the respective devices. The designs consist of high-resolution scans of the hardware. Now, JerryRigEverything accuses the Hong Kong-based manufacturer Casetify of having blatantly copied his designs. He intends to take legal action against this.
dbrand itself is also known for taking on other companies.
YouTuber does not want to profit
What are the allegations? In a nearly 14-minute video, JerryRigEverything compares the Teardown line with “Inside Out” by Casetify. He explains that it would be entirely acceptable if the manufacturer had disassembled phones itself to produce a competing product.
However, according to JerryRigEverything, Casetify did not create the cases based on its own scans but merely used product images of the Teardown skins and cases. As evidence, the YouTuber cites mistakes that have crept into the manufacturer’s cases:
- For instance, Casetify accidentally adopted Easter eggs that JerryRigEverything and dbrand had smuggled into their products: Among them, a catchphrase of the YouTuber and the date when dbrand was launched.
- Additionally, a case from Casetify shows an extra camera lens that originates from the product photo of the original Teardown version.
You can watch the entire video here:
As JerryRigEverything explains, he is particularly disturbed by the alleged idea theft since Casetify is not a “small family business”: Casetify is described by the South China Morning Post in an article from 2017 as “one of the three largest brands for tech accessories in the world.”
Casetify is said to have sold more than 15 million cases worldwide and made $300 million in revenue alone in 2022 (via Lifestyle Asia).
How is the YouTuber fighting back: JerryRigEverything and dbrand are taking legal action against the brand. The YouTuber explains: “The best way to teach Casetify a lesson is with a multi-million dollar lawsuit.”
However, the YouTuber does not want to become rich from the action: He is already aware that there will likely be no winner in such a case. But if he were unexpectedly awarded a payment, the money should go into his project for off-road wheelchairs, “The Rig.”
What does Casetify say about the issue? On X, formerly Twitter, the brand released a statement on November 24, 2023: They see themselves as a “bulwark of originality” and are currently investigating a copyright accusation. The “Inside Out” product line has already been removed from the website.
At the same time, Casetify refers to a DDoS attack on their website that occurred when the allegations were raised. The connection to the copyright allegations is unclear.
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