DePuy Spine Inc, Raynham, Mass, a Johnson & Johnson company, and Biedermann Motech GmbH, Schwenningen, Germany have agreed to settle a patent infringement lawsuit against Allez Spine, Irvine, Calif for payment of an undisclosed amount and a royalty-bearing license on sales of the Laguna system.

In the lawsuit, DePuy Spine and Biedermann Motech accused Allez’s Laguna screw products of infringing US Patent No 5,207,678 (the "678 Patent"). Pursuant to the agreement, Allez will make a settlement payment to DePuy and Biedermann. Allez has entered into a stipulation, admitting that the ‘678 Patent is valid and enforceable, and further admitting that the claims of the patent cover its Laguna screw products.

As part of the settlement, DePuy Spine and Biedermann Motech granted Allez a license under the patent to continue making, using, and selling its Laguna screw products. Under the terms of the license agreement, Allez must pay a royalty on sales of the Laguna system.

[Source: Medical News Today]