Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP - IP Litigation, Zimmer Dental, Inc. v. Nobel Biocare, USA, Inc.

Zimmer Dental, Inc. v. Nobel Biocare, USA, Inc. (March 2004)

The firm successfully defended Nobel Biocare, USA, Inc. in a binding arbitration proceeding involving a dental implant patent dispute where alleged past damages of $100 million and a possible injunction against future sales were at risk. Nobel Biocare is the world's leading manufacturer of dental implants, which are surgically implanted in the jaw to support prosthetic teeth and dental bridges. Two of its popular product lines were accused of infringement in this binding arbitration conducted by a panel of three patent attorneys. The patent had been previously enforced against over a dozen companies in the dental implant industry, resulting in settlements and payments of millions of dollars in royalties to the patent owner. Instead of owing any damages, Nobel Biocare was found not to infringe, and was awarded over $2 million in lawyers' fees and expenses.