P&G sues Cao group over whitestrips patent
The lawsuit alleges that the CAO Group is violating P&G's intellectual property by manufacturing and selling its Sheer White, Sheer DesenZ and Sheer FluorX teeth whitening and desensitizing treatments.
“The unauthorized use of patented technology is prohibited by law. P&G is suing CAO Group in order to protect its investment in its technology.”
The personal care giant first introduced its Crest Whitestrips to the public back in 2001, at the time it revolutionized the at-home tooth whitening experience. Formulated with the same enamel-safe whitening ingredient that dentists use, the strips remove set in stains below the enamel surface.
"The oral care technology used in Crest 3D White Whitestrips is a competitive advantage to P&G in the marketplace and P&G intends to protect its investment in the product."
Lawsuit unmerited, says CAO
Cao refutes the personal care giant’s lawsuit claims in that it believes that the technology applied to its treatment film products is its own intellectual property, that they do not infringe any of P&G asserted patents, and therefore in this instance, "the lawsuit was filed without any merit".
"As a company focused on innovating our own technology and securing our own patents, we are respectful of intellectual property rights and we will defend our products," says Terry Jones, general counsel of CAO.
The dental group further states that it has developed and innovated its own proprietary technology for its Sheer White, Sheer FluorX and Sheer DesenZ products, and that the company is comprised of more than 150 issued and pending patents.
"Sheer White is the most advanced teeth whitening product available in the market. It adapts and adheres to teeth surfaces tightly. People can use it anytime and anywhere without any annoyances. The proprietary gelatinous carbamide peroxide formulation can whiten a patient's teeth in five days."
The case between the two companies is currently ongoing.
