3D printer manufacturer Stratasys is taking action against Afinia, a division of Microboards Technology LLC, for patent infringement.
According to a media release from Stratasys, the company has filed the suit in the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota, seeking injunctive relief and damages for infringement of four of its 3D printing patents.
“IP infringement discourages companies from investing in innovation,” said David Reis, Stratasys Ltd. CEO.
“Stratasys pioneered 3D printing, and invests millions of dollars each year to develop our technologies. In 2012 alone, Stratasys Ltd invested $33.3 million or 9.3 percent of its revenues in R&D. We intend to protect that investment.”
Stratasys alleges that Afinia’s sale, promotion and use of its Series H printer infringes patents directed to part porosity, liquefier structure, temperature control, and tool paths for constructing part perimeters.
Stratasys Inc., the North American subsidiary of Stratasys Ltd., manufactures several lines of 3D printing systems using its proprietary FDM technology. The company also manufacturers thermoplastic FDM print materials.
Its co-founder, chairman and chief innovation officer Scott Crump, invented the Fused Deposition Modeling technology which prints three dimensional objects from computer models layer by layer.
This is the first time that Stratasys has commenced an action for infringement of its patents, according to the media release. The most recent Stratasys patent that Afinia is alleged to infringe was issued in January 2013.
