3D Systems has announced it is bringing suit in Federal District Court against Formlabs and Kickstarter, seeking injunctive relief and damages for alleged infringement of a patent relating to how the startup’s light-based printer operates.
3D Systems v. Formlabs et. al.
With the lawsuit, 3D Systems published a press release that states:
“3D Systems invented and pioneered the 3D printing technology of stereolithography and has many active patents covering various aspects of the stereolithography process,” said Andrew Johnson, General Counsel of 3D Systems. “Although Formlabs has publicly stated that certain patents have expired, 3D Systems believes the Form 1 3D printer infringes at least one of our patents, and we intend to enforce our patent rights.”
3D Systems is alleging that Formlabs is in violations of claims 1 and 23 of United States Patent No. 5,597,520 ”Simultaneous multiple layer curing in stereolithography.”
While patent disputes are nothing new between hardware manufacturers, the naming of Kickstarter in 3D Systems’ suit, presumably for their role in facilitating the record setting “sales” of the Formlabs Form 1, is an important aspect in the case, and is angering many in the DIY community.
“This could set an awful precedent that could put future hardware funding at risk,” Nick Pinkston, 3-D printing entrepreneur and organizer of an influential meetup for hardware startups says. ”I hope that fallout from this doesn’t affect the ability of others to raise funding for their projects on Kickstarter.”
Like the MakerBot, the Form 1 was designed around patents that were thought to have expired. However, the Form 1 can produce parts on par with pro grade systems that cost 10 times as much making it a bigger threat to established players. Undaunted, Formlabs is still offering their system for pre-sale.
This case will likely take months or years to resolve, but today marks a turning point where the hobbyist and professional sides of the 3-D printer industry clashed for the first, but likely not the last time.
Photos courtesy of Formlabs
3D Systems Sues Formlabs and Kickstarter for Patent Infringement
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3D Systems Sues Formlabs and Kickstarter for Patent Infringement
