Summary
Becton, Dickinson and Company (BDX) has been sued by Retractable Technologies, Inc. (RTX) in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas. The lawsuit, filed on June 15, 2007, alleges that BDX's Integra™ syringes infringe upon patents exclusively licensed to RTX. This specific patent infringement claim is separate from and not covered by a previous settlement agreement between the two companies from July 2004. In addition to patent infringement, RTX also accuses BDX of false advertising under the Lanham Act, anticompetitive practices in violation of antitrust laws (including exclusionary contracts aimed at maintaining market share), and unfair competition. These claims relate to actions allegedly taken by BDX after the 2004 settlement. RTX is seeking significant damages, including treble damages, attorney's fees, and injunctive relief. BDX maintains that it has strong defenses and plans to contest the lawsuit vigorously.
Key Highlights
- 1New lawsuit filed by Retractable Technologies, Inc. against Becton, Dickinson and Company (BDX).
- 2Allegations include patent infringement related to BDX's Integra™ syringes.
- 3The patent claims are distinct from a prior settlement agreement in July 2004.
- 4Additional claims include false advertising, antitrust violations, and unfair competition.
- 5Plaintiff is seeking treble damages, attorney's fees, and injunctive relief.
- 6BDX states it has meritorious defenses and intends to defend itself vigorously.