Invisalign® Says Competitor is Infringing on its Copyrights

Invisalign is in the news again, but this time it’s for a fairly odd reason: copyright laws. It turns out that a competitor of Invisalign sends its digital images electronically to and from Pakistan to be processed, which Invisalign says is a breach of its copyright.

Invisalign’s parent company, Align Technology, Inc., said that because the digital impressions are sent to technicians in Pakistan and back to Houston to be made, they count as imports even if they are sent electronically.

Google and the movie industry have clashed over this issue in the past and remain major players in the ongoing legal battle. Google maintains that digital property should be excluded from the same rules as physical media due to legal precedent. The movie industry and others argue the opposite, that digital media should be treated the same as physical media because the data being sent and received is essentially the same.

In this case, the judge involved in the case ruled in Invisalign’s favor and found that the transmissions were imports, meaning Invisalign’s competitor violated Invisalign’s patents. However, the arguments are ongoing. The questions involved are broad and wide-ranging, affecting entire industries and individuals at the same time, all with a medium that is very difficult to control or regulate. That means there probably won’t be a final decision on the issue for a long while.

Invisalign remains America’s top choice for straightening teeth without braces. Dr. Andy Frost in Creve Coeur, MO has years of experience treating patients with Invisalign. And by using new technology like our iTero scanner, getting Invisalign has never been faster or more comfortable.

Call us today for a free consultation or an appointment at (314) 567-1888, or contact us online. Whether you’re thinking about braces or Invisalign, we will be able to determine the best treatment for your unique smile.