Align and 3Shape Settle Patent Infringement and Antitrust Litigation

Align and 3Shape Settle Patent Infringement and Antitrust Litigation

Align Technology has announced that it has settled its patent infringement and antitrust litigation that began in November 2017 with 3Shape. While the terms of the settlement are confidential, Invisalign customers can continue to use the 3Shape TRIOS 2 and TRIOS 3 scanners for case submission outside of the United States, China, and Japan subject to the terms and conditions set by Align and other applicable agreements.

Patent infringement claims for this litigation were pending in federal courts in the District of Delaware and Eastern District of Texas. These also included petitions to invalidate patents that were brought by both parties before the United State Patent Trial and Appeal Board.

Align designs and manufactures the Invisalign system, iTero intraoral scanners, and exocad CAD/CAM software. They are glad to settle this longstanding dispute, according to senior vice president, Chief Legal and Regulatory Officer Julie Coletti.

“Align Technology is pleased to have resolved these disputes with 3Shape,” Coletti said in a press release from Align. “We will continue our focus on innovation, including technologies such as the award-winning iTero Element 5D imaging system which aids in the detection and monitoring of interproximal caries lesions above the gingiva without using harmful radiation.”