A California federal judge has made strides in two antitrust suits against Align Technology, the maker of Invisalign clear teeth aligners. The court reportedly certified two buyer classes of Invisalign aligners, however, declined to certify a class of mouth scanner purchasers. Both ongoing cases accuse the company of monopolistic practices within the market for teeth straightening plastic aligners.
The class certification—in the legal context, a procedural device used in litigation to determine the dynamics of the lawsuit—implies that the two buyer classes of Invisalign aligners will be able to proceed with their antitrust claims as a group. This raises the potential for higher financial recovery if the cases succeed. Nevertheless, the ruling on the mouth scanner class leaves some questions hanging about the broader impact of these allegations.
Align Technology, the company behind Invisalign has carved out something of a niche for itself in the specialized market of removable plastic optical aligners. The product popularly known as “Invisalign,” has grown to be a synonymous name in the industry since its introduction just over two decades ago.
The outcome of these cases could have a profound effect on antitrust law interpretations and enforcement, especially within the realm of specialized medical equipment. Ceaseless developments in antitrust litigation against corporations are shaping market norms and legal strategies. As the antitrust arena continues to evolve and adapt with the modern age, these cases represent just a few of the battles currently being fought in the ongoing war against market monopolists.
For more detailed insights on this developing story, navigate to the primary reporting on the ongoing Invisalign cases.