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| 3D
Systems Announces Successful Appeal
Patent Infringement and Unfair Competition Lawsuit Contact: VALENCIA,
Calif., December 2, 1998
- 3D Systems Corporation (Nasdaq NMS: TDSC) announced today the Court
of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has reversed a decision of the Los
Angeles Federal District Court that had dismissed 3D's lawsuit for patent
infringement and unfair competition against Aaroflex, Inc. for lack of
jurisdiction. In doing so, the Court of Appeals held that offers by Aaroflex
to sell infringing products in California gave rise to personal jurisdiction
in California, and the Court of Appeals reinstated the lawsuit.
According
to 3D's original complaint, Aaroflex had offered to sell infringing equipment
that assertedly offers the same functions as 3D's well-established line
of rapid prototyping systems, which have been sold worldwide by 3D for
over ten years.
A. Sidney Alpert, 3D's vice president and general counsel, said that
Aaroflex will now be forced to answer the complaint charging infringement
of six 3D Systems patents and also charging that Aaroflex is engaging
in acts of unfair competition, including intentionally misstating comparisons
of its equipment with 3D Systems' machines, and falsely describing its
own and 3D's patent coverage.
Alpert said that unless Aaroflex appeals or seeks another manner of
avoiding an answer to the complaint, a substantive proceeding will begin
shortly. Alpert also noted that 3D intends to vigorously pursue all infringers
of its patents, including users of the infringing machines, as its patents
cover use of the infringing Aaroflex machines, as well as their manufacture
and sale.
3D Systems provides solid imaging products and services that let users
move quickly from three-dimensional designs to finished parts, at a significantly
lower cost and higher quality than more traditional methods. The company's
systems - through its patented stereolithography and 3D printing technologies
- fabricate solid objects from digital input, substantially cutting the
time and costs of bringing new products to market. 3D Systems was founded
in 1986 and is recognized as the world leader in solid imaging.
To contact 3D Systems, the telephone number is 805-295-5600, or (toll
free) 888-337-9786; fax number is 805-257-1200; e-mail address is moreinfo@3dsystems.com.
For investor information, please call 3D Systems' shareholder communications
service at 800-757-1799. |
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