PhysIOL SA and Carl Zeiss Meditec AG have settled their legal dispute about patents and utility models for trifocal intraocular lenses (IOL) out of court.

Under a Settlement agreement, the two parties have agreed to permit the unrestricted distribution of products from the FINEVISION line (PhysIOL SA) and AT LISA tri line (Carl Zeiss Meditec AG) as well as products based on this technology. Contrary to a statement made in an earlier press release by PhysIOL SA in the course of the proceedings, PhysIOL SA recognized IP rights held by Carl Zeiss Meditec AG and therefore accepted entering into an agreement with Carl Zeiss Meditec AG. Carl Zeiss Meditec AG does not make any payments to PhysIOL SA under the agreement. The information comes from both companies.

The agreement extends not only to markets protected directly by industrial property rights such as Germany, the USA and Japan, but also regions that will be covered by future rights. The agreement applies with immediate effect. Both companies have undertaken to withdraw all infringement suits, patent opposition proceedings and a cancellation request for a utility model. The specific terms of the settlement are confidential.

Intraocular lenses (IOL) are used primarily in the treatment of cataract. The development of innovative new lenses has significantly improved opportunities for treatment over the past few years. Trifocal intraocular lenses allow suitable patients good vision over all distances - in many cases, not even eyeglasses are required.

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