In DSM Desotech Inc. v. 3D Systems Corp., Northern District of Illinois Judge Sharon Johnson Coleman dismissed allegations that 3D Systems Corp. tried to monopolize the market for 3D printing that construct three-dimensional objects with lasers. Desotech, a resin manufacturer, sued its rival 3D Systems, accusing it of trying to squeeze smaller competitors out of the highly concentrated resin market by discouraging owners of its popular printers from using resins sold by third-party vendors. Desotech’s suit originally accused 3D Systems of attempted monopolization, patent infringement and other wrongdoing in a wide-ranging, nine-count complaint.
The court dismissed all but two claims from Desotech’s suit, holding that Desotech failed to show that 3D Systems illegally tied its 3D printers to the resin they used in the printers. The court further held that there is no evidence that 3D Systems has sought to limit resin variety; instead, 3D Systems licensed resin for use in its machines if the resin manufacturer submitted the resin for qualification and licensing. Finally, according to the court, there is no evidence that 3D Systems charges supracompetitive prices. Desotech has thus failed to present sufficient evidence of anti-competitive conduct in the resin aftermarket.
As part of the same ruling, the court also dismissed Desotech’s claims that 3D Systems violated Illinois state deceptive trade practices and tortiously interfered with Desotech’s prospective economic advantage.