ITC Votes to Institute Patent Investigation on Digital Models for Dental Positioning Devices
The International Trade Commission voted to institute an investigation of certain digital models, digital data, and treatment plans for use in making incremental dental positioning adjustment appliances, the appliances made therefrom, and methods of making the same. The products at issue in this investigation are incremental dental positioning adjustment appliances, or orthodontic aligners, and the digital models, digital data, and treatment plans used to manufacture those appliances (337-TA-833).
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The investigation is based a complaint filed by Align Technology, Inc. of San Jose, CA on March 1, 2012. The complaint alleges violations of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 in the importation into the U.S. and sale of certain digital models, digital data, and treatment plans for use in making incremental dental positioning adjustment appliances, the appliances made therefrom, and methods of making the same that infringe patents asserted by Align Technology. The complainants request that the USITC issue cease and desist orders.
The ITC has identified the following as respondents in this investigation:
- Clearcorrect Pakistan (Private), Ltd. of Pakistan; and
- Clearcorrect Operating, LLC of Houston, TX.
(See ITT's Online Archives 12030719 for summary of receipt of this complaint, and 12030762 for summary of ITC's request for comments relating to the complaint.)
Subsequent ITC notice of institution of this investigation (FR Pub 04/05/12) available here.