Carl Zeiss in the United States has won a patent infringement lawsuit against Signet Armorlite (a subsidiary of Essilor International SA) and been awarded treble damages, attorney’s fees and a permanent injunction on Signet Armorlite’s offending Kodak Unique Lenses.
Signet Armorlite was determined to be wilfully infringing the US Patent 6,089,713 with the Kodak Unique product.
The ‘713 patent covers certain types of back-surface freeform progressive lenses and processes by which they are made. These include types of progressive lenses with front surfaces that are rotationally symmetric with the back-surface progressive design determined by the individual prescriptions alone or in combination with other customisation options.
“The technology described in the ‘713 patent and its Australian equivalent, AU739849, is a true breakthrough for the ophthalmic industry, and we are pleased with the favourable outcomes” said Joe Redner, Carl Zeiss’ Managing Director–Australasia.
“The back-surface freeform progressive technology covered by the ‘713 patent is a key enabler of the customised progressive lens revolution, making a better progressive viewing experience possible, driving manufacturing efficiencies and reducing costs in our industry.”
