The Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE:PG), through its wholly owned subsidiary The Gillette Company, LLC, filed a patent infringement lawsuit today in the U.S. District Court of Connecticut against Edgewell Personal Care Company and several subsidiaries. The lawsuit challenges Edgewell’s Hydro Connect 5 razor cartridges, which are sold online and positioned as compatible with Gillette Fusion handles. The lawsuit alleges patent infringement and seeks damages from these infringements. P&G also filed a complaint with the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) seeking an exclusion order to prohibit Edgewell from importing the products into the United States from China.

The patent in question is found in the Gillette Fusion Family, one of the most advanced, popular razor families in the world. The patent, which relates to how the razor cartridge and handle connect, was granted to P&G in 2015. The lawsuit alleges that Edgewell violates this patent with two products, Hydro Connect 5 and Hydro Connect 5 Sensitive, which were launched in May of this year.

As a grooming leader for over a century, Gillette regularly patents its breakthrough inventions, which are developed through strong consumer understanding and technological expertise. The company also invests heavily in research and development to stay at the forefront of shaving technology and to deliver an incredible shaving experience for men around the world.

“For over a century, Gillette has been investing to deliver world class innovation and shaving products of the highest quality, which is why so many men trust their faces to Gillette,” said Chief Legal Officer Deborah P. Majoras. “It is also why we take action when necessary to defend our vital technical advancements and the equally vital scientists who produce them.”

Gillette has been a clear innovation leader in the shaving category for over 100 years, revolutionizing the shaving experience time and again since the advent of the first safety razor. Gillette makes some of the most advanced shaving technology in the world, including its recently launched Fusion ProShield razors, which provide lubrication before and after the blades to shield men’s faces from irritation while they shave. Gillette also offers a wide range of shaving solutions for consumers in every shaving segment-- whether male or female, systems or disposables-- and at every price point. Gillette razors are some of the most trusted razors available, used by over 750 million men globally and recommended by grooming experts, dermatologists and skin experts worldwide.

About Procter & Gamble

P&G serves consumers around the world with one of the strongest portfolios of trusted, quality, leadership brands, including Always®, Ambi Pur®, Ariel®, Bounty®, Charmin®, Crest®, Dawn®, Downy®, Fairy®, Febreze®, Gain®, Gillette®, Head & Shoulders®, Lenor®, Olay®, Oral-B®, Pampers®, Pantene®, SK-II®, Tide®, Vicks®, and Whisper®. The P&G community includes operations in approximately 70 countries worldwide. Please visit http://www.pg.com for the latest news and information about P&G and its brands.