Stratasys asserted four of its 3D printing patents against Afinia in the U.S. District Court of Minnesota. Afinia responded by petitioning for inter partes review (IPR) of the asserted patents. Yet, Stratasys escaped unscathed as the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) did not institute trial on any of the 14 proposed grounds of unpatentability.

The Technology -

Additive manufacturing, i.e., 3D printing, builds physical objects from digital models. While many different types of technologies are available, a common type of 3D printer heats, extrudes, and deposits plastic material to build an object one layer at a time. The machine at work resembles an automated glue gun. Experts agree that the 3D printing industry is rapidly expanding, and there is a race for many 3D printer companies to claim the consumer market with a reliable, cost-effective 3D printer...