Align Technology, 3Shape Settle Long-Running Patent Lawsuits Over Oral Scanners

Tempe, Ariz.-based Align Technology, manufacturer of 3D digital scanners and the Invisalign orthodontic system, and Danish devicemaker 3Shape have settled several patent lawsuits over their oral scanners.

The companies had tried to have each other’s patents invalidated by the U.S. Patent Trial and Appeal Board in a dispute that began in late 2017.

The litigation also included patent infringement claims in the U.S. District Courts for the District of Delaware and the Eastern District of Texas. In addition, 3Shape had an antitrust claim pending against Align in U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware.

Under the settlement, Invisalign customers may continue using scans from 3Shape’s Trios 2 and Trios 3 scanners for Invisalign case submissions in certain countries and territories outside the U.S., China and Japan. Financial terms of the settlement were not disclosed.