What Do We Know About the Stratasys Patent Infringement Lawsuit Against Bambu Lab?

It may be August, but it does not seem that the 3D printing market is resting. Only four short months since Markforged was ordered to pay $17M to Continuous Composites in a final ending to a patent infringement lawsuit that had been ongoing since 2021, we have a new one. More specifically, one of the pioneering 3D printer manufacturers, Stratasys, has filed a patent infringement lawsuit against rapidly growing newcomer Bambu Lab. Thus adding to a wider discussion within additive manufacturing on intellectual property rights.

Despite some issues over the past few years, including security concerns (which the company itself has addressed) and a recall of the popular A1 3D printer due to potentially grave heating issues due to damage to cables, Bambu Lab has grown significantly in popularity since its explosive entry onto the market in 2022. Indeed, in a report from market intelligence firm CONTEXT from April, it seemed that sales seem to be slowing for industrial, midrange and professional 3D printers while entry-level was growing. And this was mostly driven by the success of Bambu Lab.

The patent infringement case from Stratasys centers on technologies and printers using FDM 3D printing (photo credits: Stratasys)

Now with this patent infringement lawsuit, it is clear that 3D printing solution providers are taking notice. And although Bambu Lab has made waves with its significantly faster extrusion, multicolor 3D printing, now Stratasys is claiming that this is only possible as it has infringed upon technology from Stratasys. As such, Stratasys has filed two lawsuits Civil Action No. 2:24-cv-644 and Civil Action No. 2:24-cv-00645 in Texas claiming infringement for the following US patents: No. 9,421,713; No. 9,592,660; No. 7,555,357; No. 9,168,698; No. 10,556,381; No.10,569,466; No. 11,167,464; No. 8,747,097; No. 11,886,774; No. 8,562,324. The first five especially are of particular relevance for the consumer 3D printing market.