The complaint alleges that Candid Studios replicates SmileDirectClub’s teledentistry platform and SmileShop model, in violation of SmileDirectClub’s patent.
SmileDirectClub has filed a complaint for patent infringement against Candid Care Co for the operation of its Candid Studios. SmileDirectClub alleges that Candid Studios are “a copycat model” of SmileDirectClub’s SmileShop model. SmileDirectClub was recently issued a patent for its SmileShop and related workflow intellectual property from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
The patent, U.S. Patent No. 10,636,522, ensures no clear aligner competitor will be able to duplicate SmileDirectClub’s unique model for the next 18 years.
In the complaint, SmileDirectClub details Candid’s replication of SmileDirectClub’s teledentistry platform, including the launch of Candid’s retail component, called “Candid Studios,” launched 2 years after the introduction of SmileShops. SmileDirectClub alleges that Candid has wrongfully taken advantage of the extensive analysis, financial investment, experience and effort that SmileDirectClub invested in developing its teledentistry platform and SmileShops. SmileDirectClub is seeking damages and injunctive relief to prohibit Candid’s model from continuing.
David Katzman, chief executive officer of SmileDirectClub, states: “The receipt of the patent to protect our intellectual property surrounding our customer-oriented care model is an important milestone for our company, and validates all of the hard work we have put into developing an industry leading and innovative telehealth platform that enables a customer-focused remote dentistry experience. We are now able to better defend ourselves against copycat models, including Candid, who have built entire companies by directly replicating our successful teledentistry platform. We will aggressively defend our business, our technology and our customer experience.”
The patent encompasses the SmileShop concept and process, including scheduling of an appointment at a SmileShop, sending the scheduling confirmation to the customer, conducting the intraoral scan, generating a treatment plan, receiving approval of the treatment plan by a licensed dentist or orthodontist, producing aligners in accordance with the treatment plan, and sending those aligners to the customer.
