Essilor, VSP, Younger, and Indizen End Free-Form Progessives Lawsuit

Two weeks before Thanksgiving, Essilor, VSP, Younger Optics, and Indizen Optical Technologies have settled their free-form progressive lawsuit. “A patent infringement case was filed by Essilor against VSP Optical Group on Feb 22, 2013 in the Texas Eastern District Court for infringing eyeglass lenses used to correct presbyopia and other disorders of accommodation. The other named defendants in this case were: Indizen Optical Technologies…and Younger Optics,” reports IPInsiders. “The patent involved in the suit is US6149271…The patent is currently assigned to Essilor International …The '271 patent claims progressive addition lenses and processes for making progressive addition lenses. The complaint alleged that Indizen Optical Technologies develops a lens design software [and that] IOT Futura and Younger Optics provides semi-finished lenses, both of which help in producing finished lenses manufactured by VSP, UNITY PLxpression lenses that infringe the '271 Patent. The complaint states that Indizen Optical Technologies and Younger Optics encouraged VSP to make such infringing lenses. …On Nov 13, Essilor filed stipulation of dismissal pursuant to which the Court ordered all the claims and counterclaims in this action to be dismissed with prejudice with each party bearing its own attorneys’ fees and costs.” Read more.

Zeiss and Hoya Ink Free-Form Technology Deal

Vision Monday reports that " Carl Zeiss Vision announced that it has entered into a license agreement with Hoya Vision Care Corporation that covers the same technology. The agreement with Hoya covers Carl Zeiss Vision International’s U.S. Patent No. 6,089,713 and Australian Patent No. 739,849. The patents cover certain types of back-surface free-form progressive lenses and processes by which they are made." Read more.

Midwest Lens Offering Single-Vision Freeform Lens

"The multi-purpose freeform single vision design that takes advantage of digital enhancements.
Perfecta Single Vision digital lens takes advantage of our in-depth knowledge in personalized ophthalmic lens design. The Perfecta Single Vision design has been engineered for peak optical performance regardless of the frame style or lens material in most prescriptions," according to Midwest Lens. "Lenticularization is a process developed to minimize the edge thickness of a lens. The lab defines an optimal region around the fitting cross; outside this region the software reduces the thickness with a gradual change in curvature, resulting in a thinner lens." Read more.