Bambu Lab, which is now one of the largest 3D printer companies in the world, has truly taken a big step forward in the entire industry. Originally a small private company based in Shenzhen, China, Bambu Lab had a vision to make 3D printing much more consumer-friendly. The company has achieved this goal because some of its models, like the Bambu Lab A1, represent the most affordable entry point into the exciting world of 3D printers. However, rapid innovation has landed the company directly in hot water in what may be a case of accidental patent infringement.
Bambu Lab will have to pay Stratasys, Ltd. more than $27 million in damages for patent infringement on technologies such as automatic bed leveling and purge towers. It’s now commonplace in 3D printing, and even though Bambu Lab is slowly moving away from the exact methods covered in the lawsuit (the patent infringement targets the first generation of products), the community is wondering why Bambu Lab, exactly? This part remains a bit of a mystery, but there has been an accusation that the company poses a security threat because its servers are likely located in China.
Regardless, Stratasys, Ltd., the inventor of FDM 3D printing, has filed two separate lawsuits in Texas against Bambu Lab for violating 10 patents, which include single-nozzle filament purging. Although some of these patents were filed 20 years ago and the technology is used by various other companies, the Texas jury found that Bambu Lab was responsible for the infringement allegations made in the lawsuit. Four additional patents remain untried and Bambu Lab strongly disagrees with the verdict and plans to appeal the decision.
What happens to existing Bambu Lab printers?
Although Stratasys, Ltd. (a major name in the industry, especially for those looking to purchase color 3D printers) is right, Bambu Lab has already won a similar lawsuit in Europe. In other words, the company’s use of the technology does not constitute patent infringement under European standards, according to the Unified Patent Court in The Hague. Thus, Bambu Lab can technically sell printers in Europe which, according to the Texas court’s findings, infringe protected American patents.
Fortunately for Bambu Lab and its fans, none of the 3D printers in the suit were subject to injunctions. This may have something to do with the fact that infringement complaints are limited to printers who have largely been retired. This includes the X1, which has already been replaced by the well-reviewed P2S. Some models like the A1 are technically still relevant, but Bambu Lab had already planned to retire it in favor of the A2L at a later date.
Older Bambu Lab printers use several technologies covered by protected patents. Most notably, the aforementioned single nozzle operation used by all older series. Its new products, on the other hand, use double nozzles. So if you are planning to stick with Bambu Lab devices, don’t worry because you will be able to find new products in the United States. Bad luck for Bambu Lab, but the case should have no impact on American consumers. Even if it did, there are already a number of 3D printer brands that can easily compete with Bambu Lab, so there’s a 0% chance you’ll be left out in the rain.
