Ormco Corporation Sues Lancer Orthodontics For Patent Infringment

ORANGE, Calif., April 10, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Ormco Corporation, a leading manufacturer and provider of advanced orthodontic technology and services, today announced that the company has filed a lawsuit in the Federal District Court of California against Lancer Orthodontics, Inc. for patent infringement, signaling Ormco's determination to protect its valuable intellectual property. The lawsuit alleges that Lancer's DEFY SL bracket infringes Ormco's patents.

Ormco has asserted infringement on two U.S. patents in its lawsuitU.S. Patent No. 7,416,408 entitled "Aesthetic Self-Ligating Orthodontic Bracket" and U.S. Patent No. 8,469,704 entitled "Self-Ligating Orthodontic Bracket and Devices for Deploying Same." These patents relate to Ormco's widely-adopted Damon System, which has improved more than 4.5 million patient smiles and counting. Initially introduced by Dr. Dwight Damon and Ormco Corporation as Damon SL with many significant improvements since, the Damon System is a unique system comprised of passive self-ligating brackets, high-tech archwires and minimally invasive treatment protocols that work together to provide exceptional benefits for the doctor and patient. Designed with periodontal health in mind, the progressive system offers a gentler alternative to traditional bracesallowing doctors to provide outstanding results with greater patient comfort and treatment efficiency.

As an advocate of orthodontic innovation, Ormco supports new and unique industry advancements that will improve treatment efficiency and elevate the standard of patient care. The company has invested nearly $80 million in research and development exclusively for the Damon System and has designed and manufactured eight bracket evolutions leading up to the new Damon Custom and Damon Clear2 this year. Ormco continues to invest in extensive research and development to fuel its innovation pipeline and is committed to protect its industry leading intellectual property portfolio which is comprised of more than 50 patents and 25 pending patent applications for the Damon System.

About Ormco
For over 50 years, Ormco has partnered with the orthodontic community to manufacture innovative products and solutions to enhance the lives of our customers and their patients. Distinguished products range from legacy twin brackets Titanium Orthos and Mini-Twin to self-ligating appliances with the Damon System. Ormco's Insignia Advanced Smile Design provides an all-inclusive solution with customized brackets, wires and placement trays for increased clinical efficiency. From personalized service to worldwide continuing education programs and marketing support, Ormco is committed to helping orthodontists achieve their clinical and practice management objectives. For more information, visit the Ormco website.

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