Desktop Metal support removal technology
Markforged has been cleared of any Intellectual Property infringement relating to Desktop Metal’s claims earlier this year.
Desktop Metal filed a lawsuit against its fellow Massachusetts-based 3D printing company back in March, citing a series of patent infringements and trade and contract violations. A three-week trial culminated in a federal jury finding Markforged did not infringe on U.S. Patent No. 9,815,118, entitled ‘Fabricating Multi-Part Assemblies’, or U.S. Patent No. 9,833,839, entitled ‘Fabricating an Interface Layer for Removable Support’ after deliberating for less than one day.
As of October 2 2018, Markforged and Desktop Metal have announced they have reached an agreement that resolves all outstanding litigation between the two companies. Both firms have acknowledged that neither company, nor the individuals named in the litigation, misappropriated any trade secret or confidential information belonging to the other. Further terms and conditions of the settlement have remained confidential.
Back in March, Markforged CEO, Greg Mark ‘categorically denied’ the allegations which he described as ‘far-fetched’. The company unveiled its first metal 3D printing system, Metal X, back in January 2017, three months prior to Desktop Metal’s launch of its Studio and Production systems. The accusations centred on two brothers, Matiu Parangi, who worked briefly with Desktop Metal as a print lab technician, and Abraham Parangi, the Director, Technology & Creative at Markforged. It was alleged that Matiu downloaded a host of proprietary information relating to IP and processes, and passed them on to Abraham in direct violation of a Non-Disclosure Agreement he signed in 2016.
At the time of the claim, Desktop Metal CEO, Ric Fulop remarked that ‘Desktop Metal welcomes healthy and vibrant competition. When that competition infringes on our technology, however, we have a duty to respond. We believe Markforged products clearly utilise technology patented by Desktop Metal and we will do what is necessary to protect our IP and our company.’
After a two-week hearing concluding on Friday 27th July, however, a jury did not concur with Desktop Metal’s claims regarding IP infringement. Proceedings relating to the five counts of trade and contract violations will follow.
Markforged comment
"Markforged printers have changed the way businesses produce strong parts while dramatically impacting the delivery times, cost, and supply chain logistics," commented Greg Mark, CEO or Markforged. "We feel gratified that the jury found we do not infringe, and confirmed that the Metal X, our latest extension of the Markforged printing platform, is based on our own proprietary Markforged technology."
Desktop Metal comment
“Desktop Metal is pleased that the jury agreed with the validity of all claims in both of Desktop Metal’s patents asserted against Markforged. Desktop Metal has additional claims pending alleging trade secret misappropriation by Markforged. The Federal District Court has bifurcated those counts and will try them at a later date. At Desktop Metal, we remain committed to building on our leadership in the metal 3D printing sector and continuing to provide innovative products and solutions to our hundreds of customers across industries.
"We are currently reviewing legal options concerning the infringement issue.” ~ Desktop Metal
