Medit scores win in 3Shape patent battle
South Korean medical devices manufacturer Medit has prevailed in a patent infringement lawsuit brought by Danish rival 3Shape in Germany.
Medit announced yesterday, August 5, that the District Court of Düsseldorf had dismissed the claims, accusing the South Korean company’s i500 intraoral scanner of infringing a 3Shape European patent.
The Medit release notes that 3Shape may still appeal against the decision, but “Medit believes that it will prevail in any future proceedings”.
"Medit will continue to support our customers with their journey into digital dentistry. We develop all software in-house and our R&D department is always available for discussions and to resolve any potential misunderstandings," says GB Ko, CEO of Medit.
In separate proceedings, Medit is also looking to have 3Shape’s patent invalidated by the Federal Patent Court.
It is just the latest in a series of legal battles between the two medical device manufacturers. In January, 3Shape succeeded in a separate complaint filed against Medit for infringement of another patent.
That case also concerned Medit’s i500 intraoral scanner. Medit is currently challenging the ruling.
At the time, 3Shape CEO Tais Clausen said the company “cannot allow competitors to copy our hard-earned technology breakthroughs or infringe our patents”.
Medit, meanwhile, said it intended “ to show that the patent is not valid, so that any of 3Shape's claims are in fact baseless”.
The South Korean company also confirmed it would release a software update to overcome infringement concerns identified in the decision, while invalidity proceedings are ongoing.
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