Knobbe Martens
Apr 10, 2023
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Cranial Technologies Sues Ottobock for Infringement of Cranial Remodeling Patents

Written byAdam G. Copeland

Cranial Technologies, Inc. sued Ottobock SE & Co. KGaA and Active Life LLC in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California on March 29, 2023.  The lawsuit alleges that Ottobock’s MyCRO Band and iFab system infringe U.S. Patent No. 7,242,798, titled “Automatic Selection of Cranial Remodeling Device Configuration,” which issued in 2007; and U.S. Patent No. 7,227,979, titled “Automatic Selection of Cranial Remodeling Device Trim Lines,” which issued in 2007.  Below is an example figure from U.S. Patent No. 7,242,798:

                            

Cranial Technologies also alleges that Ottobock’s MyCRO Band and iFab system infringe U.S. Patent No. 10,603,203, titled “Custom Cranial Remodeling Devices Manufactured By Additive Manufacture,” which issued in 2020; U.S. Patent No. 10,846,925 titled “Method of Manufacture of Custom Cranial Remodeling Devices By Additive Manufacture,” which issued in 2020; and U.S. Patent No. 10,726,617, titled “Method of Manufacture of Custom Headwear by Additive Manufacturing,” which issued in 2020.  Below is an example figure from U.S. Patent No. 10,603,203:

                         

Cranial Technologies is an Arizona corporation, Ottobock is a German corporation, and Active Life is a Delaware company.  The lawsuit asserts that Ottobock sold the infringing products to Active Life, and that Active Life operates under Ottobock’s direction and control and for Ottobock’s direct benefit.  Cranial Technologies has not previously filed any lawsuits against either Ottobock or Active Life.  The case docket is available here.