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.

Younger Releases Transitions Vantage Image Polycarbonate Lens

Younger Optics has released Transitions Vantage Image Polycarbonate. Transitions Vantage lenses from Younger Optics are the next breakthrough in photochromic technology. With a slight tint indoors, automatically darkening outdoors, they provide 100% UV blocking and variable polarization - polarization that increases as the lenses get darker. The new Image polycarbonate lens is available in more materials and treatment combinations than any other progressive and works well in all frames, including wrap, drill-mounted, even fashionable small frames.

Essilor Battles Younger, Indizen, and VSP Over Patent Infringement

On Feb. 22, 2013, Essilor International S.A. and Essilor of America, Inc.,  filed a patent infringement action with the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Texas, Sherman Division, against Indizen Optical Technologies S.L.; Indizen Optical Technologies of America, LLC; Younger Manufactuirng Co. d/b/a/ Younger Optics; Vision Service Plan; VSP Labs, Inc.; and VSP Optical Group, Inc. This suit was filed  about a month after Essilor sent Indizen and Younger Optics letters giving notice of their reported infringement of Essilor International's 271 Patent. On February 13, 2013, Essilor sent the VSP, VSP Labs, and VSP Optical a letter giving notice of their reported infringement of Essilor's patent, which covers its progressive addition lenses. For a copy of the suit, click this link.

"On Feb. 20, Younger Optics, Indizen Optical Technologies, Indizen Optical Technologies of America, Vision Service Plan,  VSP Labs and VSP Optical Group filed suit against Essilor International and Essilor of America in U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, Western Division," according to a Vision Monday post. "The companies are seeking a declaratory judgment stating that the manufacture and sale of their progressive lenses, including VSP Unity PLxpression lenses, does not infringe three Essilor International patents on digital progressive lenses, either directly or indirectly. In their suit, the companies are also seeking to invalidate all three Essilor patents because they claim the patents fail to comply with U.S. patent laws." Read more.