Stratasys, Inc., the original patent holder for FDM (filament material extrusion) 3D printing technology, has filed a significant lawsuit for patent infringement in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, Marshall Division. The lawsuit names several entities associated with the “Bambu Lab” brand as defendants, including Shenzhen Tuozhu Technology Co., Ltd., Shanghai Lunkuo Technology Co., Ltd., Bambulab Limited, Beijing Tiertime Technology Co., Ltd., Beijing Yinhua Laser Rapid Prototyping and Mould Technology Co. Ltd., and Tuozhu Technology Limited.
Patents in 3D printing are complex, while several violations occur regularly, lawsuits usually happen only when significant revenues are involved and Bambu Lab has been generating very significant revenues. Stratasys, on the other hand, has been struggling with slow growth and in terms of stock market performance. This case is also somewhat remindful of the one brought by 3D Systems against Formlabs on SLA technology, which was resolved by Formlabs paying a royalty to 3D Systems for each machine sold.
Stratasys, a company with a rich history in 3D printing technology since its founding in 1988, alleges that the defendants have infringed upon multiple patents that Stratasys holds. The patents in question are related to various aspects of 3D printing technology, including methods for printing three-dimensional parts, heated build platforms, and force detection mechanisms during the printing process.
The complaint outlines that the defendants, collectively referred to as “Bambu Lab,” have directly and indirectly infringed on several of Stratasys’s patents. These include U.S. Patent No. 9,421,713, which covers methods for additive manufacturing using purge towers; U.S. Patent No. 9,592,660, related to heated build platforms in 3D printing; U.S. Patent No. 7,555,357, which details extrusion-based layered deposition systems; U.S. Patent No. 9,168,698, concerning force detection in 3D printing; and U.S. Patent No. 10,556,381, which also pertains to force detection during fabrication.
The lawsuit asserts that Bambu Lab’s products, including various 3D printers such as the X1C, X1E, P1S, P1P, A1, and A1 mini, infringe upon these patents. The complaint details how these products allegedly use proprietary Stratasys technologies without authorization, specifically noting the use of heated build platforms, force detection systems, and purge towers that are integral to the patented processes and methods owned by Stratasys.
The lawsuit was filed in the Eastern District of Texas, a jurisdiction known for its robust handling of intellectual property cases, particularly patent litigation. Stratasys asserts that the court has jurisdiction due to the defendants’ substantial business activities within the district, including sales and distribution of the allegedly infringing products.
Stratasys is seeking multiple forms of relief, including a declaration that the defendants have infringed upon the asserted patents, damages for the infringement (including enhanced damages for willful infringement), and a permanent injunction preventing further infringement of Stratasys’s patents by the defendants. Additionally, the company seeks attorneys’ fees and other associated costs.
The lawsuit emphasizes that the alleged infringement has caused significant damage to Stratasys, both in terms of lost revenue and harm to its market position. The company also highlights that the defendants were aware of the patents as of August 5, 2024, yet continued their infringing activities.
This lawsuit underscores the ongoing challenges within the rapidly evolving 3D printing industry, where companies must navigate complex intellectual property landscapes. If successful, Stratasys could not only receive substantial financial compensation but also limit the operations of Bambu Lab in the U.S. market. The outcome of this case could have broader implications for the 3D printing industry, particularly concerning the enforcement of patents and the protection of technological innovations. As the case progresses, it will be closely watched by industry stakeholders and legal experts alike.
The case, Stratasys, Inc. v. Shenzhen Tuozhu Technology Co., Ltd., et al., Civil Action No. 2:24-cv-644, will proceed in the Eastern District of Texas, with Stratasys demanding a jury trial. The case could set important precedents in patent law, particularly in the realm of high-tech manufacturing and 3D printing.
For further information, the public can access court documents and filings through the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas.
