Global TV Concepts, Ltd.


Global TV Concepts, Ltd.

This Florida-based company manufactures two electric tweezer scams, both cleared in 1997. They came on the heels of the runaway success of the IGIA tweezer scam, and were subsequently sued by IGIA (see notes below).

Contact information

  • Address: 776 South Military Trail, Deerfield Beach, FL 33442
  • Telephone: 954-570-9998
  • Fax: 954 570-9990
  • Contacts: Laurie Braden, Lee Smith, Shelly Smith (jburnside@ATT.COM)
  • website: http://globaltvconcepts.com/
  • email: info@globaltvconcepts.com

Available devices

Epilator name FDA 510(k) Cleared
Sonique Hair Remover K973174 10/30/97
Feminique Hair Remover K973179 10/30/97

Notes

1. The Feminique/Sonique 510(k) applications were addressed to Laurie Braden above, but were prepared by a lawyer:

  • Ms. Samia N. Rodriguez
    Hyman Phelps & McNamara P.C.
    700 13th St NW #1200 Washington, DC 20005
    Phone: (202) 737-5600 Fax: (202) 737-9329
    Email: snr@hpm.com

2. The Sonique model is battery operated (4 AAA) unlike IGIA, which plugs into a wall outlet.

3. This typical Feminique web ad uses the scammer’s catchphrase painless and permanent: "a new wonder invention from Europe – is the safe, painless way to remove unwanted hair permanently."

4. Known to do business as Global Concepts. Global TV Concepts was sued by rival electric tweezer manufacturer Tactica in an intellectual proerty case. Transcript available through Intellectual Property Today online magazine: http://www.lawworks-iptoday.com/12-98/decdoc1.htm

  • 98-7178—Filed:981009
  • Tactica International Inc. & Sale-A-Vision
  • v. Lee Smith & Global Concepts (DBA Global TV Concepts)
  • 396,889-D21/048

5. Some Global TV Concepts promotional material mentions a company called inTV. Owned by Florida media mogul Bud Paxson, The Infomall — also called the inTV Network — is a string of low-cost independent TV stations used primarily for running infomercials. Paxson is also responsible for PAX TV network that runs family-oriented syndicated programming.