nt-trading acknowledges Straumann patent and removes copied implant components from U

Straumann has prevailed in an important patent dispute against
nt-trading GmbH & Co KG which was filed in Delaware District Court, USA. As a result,
nt-trading has agreed to remove its imitations of Straumann’s implant abutments from the
market in the US.

At the heart of the dispute is a patent that covers Straumann’s innovative CrossFit®
technology, which ensures that connecting abutments fit precisely into Straumann implants
without jamming. The patent effectively protects against copies of Straumann’s original
abutments for its Bone Level implants.

nt-trading GmbH & Co. KG is based in Karlsruhe, Germany, and manufactures components
for use in implant dentistry. In an out-of-court settlement, the company acknowledged that
Straumann’s patent is valid and enforceable. It also agreed to remove its imitation abutments
from the market in the US and to pay for Straumann’s legal costs. nt-trading has also agreed
not to permit any third party to sell, market or import the respective products in the US.

“The CrossFit connection was invented to ensure safe and easy handling, and Straumann
invested considerably in its research, development and clinical testing. We will not allow
other companies to infringe our intellectual property or to mislead dentists and patients that
imitations are the same as Straumann originals”, said Andy Molnar, Executive Vice President
of Straumann North America. “Look-alikes and copycats are not manufactured to our high
quality standards nor have they undergone the extensive clinical testing that Straumann
implants and abutments receive. We are determined to take a strong, justified stand against
rogue imitators, in the interest of patient safety.”