3M Files Patent Infringement Lawsuit in Germany to Protect Dental Ceramic Coloring Technology
March 06 2015 - 6:51PM
Business Wire
As part of its ongoing program to license to the dental industry
3M's patented technology that enables the coloring of ceramic-based
dental restorations, and to protect its technology against
unlicensed users, 3M has filed a patent infringement lawsuit in
Düsseldorf, Germany against Dental Direkt GmbH located in Spenge,
Germany.
The lawsuit alleges infringement of 3M’s patent rights by Dental
Direkt’s zirconia CAD/CAM blocks sold under the brand “DD Bio Z”
and “DD Bio ZX2 translucent” and coloring liquids sold under the
brands “DD Bio Z color classic” and “DD Bio ZX2 monolith Zero.”
3M’s patented technology enables the coloring of unshaded
ceramics by color-matching dental restorations to the natural color
of patients’ teeth. 3M has licensed its patents to much of the
dental industry, including Vita Zahnfabrik H. Rauter GmbH & Co.
KG, and Vident Inc., Dentsply Prosthetics U.S. LLC and Dentsply
International Inc., Zirkonzahn GmbH, Wieland Dental + Technik GmbH
& Co. KG, Ivoclar Vivadent AG, Metoxit AG, and White Peaks
Dental Solutions. Through these licensees, patients around the
world enjoy the benefits of dental restorations matching the
natural color of their teeth. 3M remains open to licensing this
technology to other interested parties.
3M is committed to improving oral care through continuous
investments in research and development. The company's dental
division, 3M ESPE, has been recognized as the most innovative
dental company for the past ten years by the Anaheim Group. This
distinction is awarded based on the number of patent filings, 510k
clearances and new product introductions.
About 3M
3M is a science-based company with a culture of creative
collaboration that inspires powerful technologies, making life
better. With $32 billion in sales, 3M employs 90,000 people
worldwide and has operations in more than 70 countries. For more
information, visit www.3M.com or follow @3MNewsroom on Twitter.
3MLori Anderson, 651-733-0831
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