In a significant victory for Continuous Composites, the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has denied six out of seven petitions filed by Markforged for Inter Partes Review (IPR), challenging the validity of Continuous Composites’ foundational patents. The ruling, issued by the Patent Trial & Appeal Board (PTAB), means no trial will be instituted, reaffirming the strength of Continuous Composites’ intellectual property.
The ongoing patent infringement lawsuit, initiated by Continuous Composites in July 2021, accuses Markforged of infringing on several patents critical to its continuous fiber 3D printing technology. The patents in question describe a method and apparatus for additive manufacturing, combining multiple materials into a composite with enhanced mechanical and electrical properties.
Despite Markforged’s claims that the technology is unpatentable, the USPTO’s recent decision highlights the robustness of Continuous Composites’ IP portfolio, including patents filed prior to Markforged’s founding. This ruling adds to Continuous Composites’ growing patent family and strengthens its position in the legal battle, which seeks both monetary damages and injunctive relief against Markforged. Legal proceedings are ongoing as the case continues to unfold.
Read the full article from TCT Magazine here.
