Patent Board Invalidated Claims in Stratasys Patents
The U.S. Patent Trial and Appeal Board found four Stratasys patents unpatentable in recent proceedings.
Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Biotech
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The U.S. Patent Trial and Appeal Board issued final decisions invalidating claims across four patents held by Stratasys. These rulings stem from challenges filed by Shenzhen Tuozhu Technology.
Why it matters
The board's decision complicates the legal standing of Stratasys in ongoing litigation against Bambu Lab, potentially impacting previous damage awards tied to these patents.
The board found all challenged claims in patents US 10,556,381, US 11,886,774, and US 10,569,466 unpatentable, alongside 14 of 15 claims in patent US 9,168,698. These four patents represent $2.8 million of a total $27.6 million jury verdict previously awarded to Stratasys.
The players
Stratasys
Stratasys is a developer and manufacturer of 3D printing equipment and materials.
Bambu Lab
Bambu Lab is a 3D printer manufacturer that has been engaged in patent infringement litigation with Stratasys.
Shenzhen Tuozhu Technology
Shenzhen Tuozhu Technology is the entity that filed the inter partes review proceedings against Stratasys patents.
U.S. Patent Trial and Appeal Board
The U.S. Patent Trial and Appeal Board is an administrative body within the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office that reviews patent validity.
The details
Shenzhen Tuozhu Technology challenged the patents through inter partes review proceedings, which are decided by a preponderance of the evidence. Stratasys maintains the right to appeal these findings to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.
Timeline
The PTAB upheld a separate patent in June 2026.
The board issued final written decisions in late September and early October 2026.
Post-trial motions in the related Texas lawsuit are due by October 16, 2026.
Patent US 7,555,357 is set to expire in March 2027.
The Tech Race
This development reflects the ongoing use of administrative patent challenges to disrupt established intellectual property portfolios in the 3D printing industry. These proceedings serve as a primary strategic tool for companies to undermine the leverage of competitors who rely on broad patent enforcement.
Consumers may see changes in 3D printer availability or pricing as manufacturers navigate the outcome of these patent disputes. The legal landscape here influences which technologies and features remain available in the competitive 3D printing market.
The takeaway
The invalidation of these patent claims demonstrates the vulnerability of intellectual property to administrative review challenges during and after litigation. Companies involved in high-stakes patent disputes often face shifting financial liabilities as the validity of their core technology assets is tested in these forums.
What happens next
Post-trial motions in the first lawsuit are scheduled for October 16, 2026, and patent US 7,555,357 will reach its expiration in March 2027.
Further reading
Learn more about intellectual property and industry advancements in the Biotech section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by 3D Printing Industry.
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