Stratasys, Inc. v. Shanghai Lunkuo Technology Co. et al.

This is a patent infringement lawsuit filed by Stratasys, Inc., a prominent American-Israeli manufacturer of 3D printers, software, and materials for polymer additive manufacturing, against several entities associated with the "Bambu Lab" brand. Stratasys is an operating company known for its FDM and PolyJet 3D printing technologies, serving various industries including aerospace, automotive, and healthcare. The defendants include Shanghai Lunkuo Technology Co., Shenzhen Tuozhu Technology Co., and Bambulab Ltd., which are Chinese consumer tech companies focused on designing and manufacturing desktop 3D printers. Shenzhen Tuozhu Technology Co. is identified as the brand registration owner for Bambu Lab. Initially, Beijing Tiertime Technology Co. Ltd. and Beijing Yinhua Laser Rapid Prototyping and Mould Technology Co. Ltd. were also named as defendants but were later dropped from the suit in October 2024.

The accused products are various 3D printers manufactured by Bambu Lab, specifically their X1C, X1E, P1S, P1P, A1, and A1 Mini models. Stratasys alleges that these printers infringe upon a portfolio of its patents covering key 3D printing features. While the prompt specifically mentions US Patent 9421713, Stratasys has asserted a total of ten patents. US Patent 9421713, titled "Additive Manufacturing Method for Printing Three-Dimensional Parts with Purge Towers," relates to specific techniques for managing the extrusion of material during multi-material or multi-color printing by using sacrificial structures known as purge towers. Other asserted patents cover technologies such as heated build platforms and force detection systems.

The case, Stratasys, Inc. v. Shanghai Lunkuo Technology Co. et al., Case number 2:24-cv-00644-JRG, was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, Marshall Division, and is presided over by District Judge Rodney Gilstrap. The Eastern District of Texas is a well-known venue for patent litigation. The case was initially filed in August 2024, and in June 2025, the lead case (2:24-CV-00644-JRG) and a related member case (2:24-CV-00645-JRG) were agreed by both parties to be consolidated into a single case under Case No. 2:25-cv-00465-JRG. This consolidation followed Judge Gilstrap's denial of Bambu Lab's motion to dismiss the lawsuits in May 2025, where Bambu Lab argued that its US subsidiary, Bambu Lab USA, was a necessary party. The case is notable for its potential industry impact, as Bambu Lab has rapidly gained significant market traction in the consumer 3D printer segment, offering features previously found in more industrial machines at lower price points. Stratasys, an established player, is seeking financial damages and an injunction to prevent Bambu Lab from selling its allegedly infringing printers in the U.S. market, which could significantly reshape the competitive landscape of the 3D printing industry. There is also related litigation in Europe, where Stratasys sought an interim injunction against Bambu Lab over a European patent related to purge towers, which was dismissed by the UPC Hague Local Division in April 2026.

Stratasys, Inc. v. Shanghai Lunkuo Technology Co. et al. (2:24-cv-00644-JRG) is an ongoing patent infringement lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas. The litigation has seen several key developments, including initial pleadings, pre-trial motions, and the institution of parallel inter partes review (IPR) proceedings at the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB).

Key Legal Developments:

1. Filing & Initial Pleadings (August 2024)
Stratasys, Inc. filed its patent infringement suit in August 2024, asserting U.S. Patent 9,421,713 and other patents against Shanghai Lunkuo Technology Co., Shenzhen Tuozhu Technology Co., Bambulab Ltd., and associated subsidiaries. The initial complaints also included Tuozhu Technology Limited, Beijing Tiertime Technology Co. Ltd., and Beijing Yinhua Laser Rapid Prototyping and Mould Technology Co. Ltd.. The lawsuit alleges infringement related to various 3D printing technologies, including purge towers, heated beds, force detection, and tagged filaments. The case 2:24-cv-00644-JRG was designated as the lead case, with a related member case 2:24-cv-00645-JRG, and a third member case 2:25-cv-00465-JRG, which appears to be a countersuit or related action by BambuLab USA, Inc. against Stratasys, Inc..

2. Pre-trial Motions of Substance

• Motion to Dismiss (February 2025): Bambu Lab filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit in February 2025, contending that Stratasys's claims were invalid because its U.S.-based subsidiary, Bambu Lab USA, was not named as a defendant. Bambu Lab argued that Bambu Lab USA was an indispensable party under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 19.
• Denial of Motion to Dismiss (2025-05-29): U.S. District Judge Rodney Gilstrap denied Bambu Lab's motion to dismiss on May 29, 2025. The court ruled that the allegations properly targeted the named defendants and that Bambu Lab USA was not essential to the dispute, emphasizing that the case could proceed based solely on the actions of the existing defendants.
• Motion to Consolidate Cases (May 2025): Stratasys filed a request in May 2025 to consolidate cases 2:24-CV-00644-JRG and 2:24-CV-00645-JRG under a single case number, 2:25-CV-00465-JRG. The defendants formally agreed to this consolidation on June 12, 2025, waiving their rights under 35 U.S.C. § 299(a). The cases are managed together as lead and member cases.

3. Claim Construction (Markman) Outcomes

• Docket Control Order (2024-11-27): A Docket Control Order was issued, setting the Markman Hearing for October 15, 2025.
• Claim Construction Discovery Extension (2025-09-26): The deadline for claim construction discovery was extended to October 3, 2025, via a joint motion by the parties.
• Motion to Amend Claim Construction Statement (2025-11-12): The Defendants' Opposed Motion for Leave to Amend Joint Claim Construction and Prehearing Statement was granted by Judge Gilstrap. Court documents from November 2025 indicated that a Markman order was expected within "just a few weeks" following claim construction proceedings.

4. Discovery Milestones with Strategic Significance

• Motion to Compel: Stratasys, Inc. filed a motion to compel (Dkt. 57) during discovery.
• Source Code Discovery (2025-11-10): The defendants filed a motion to amend the protective order to increase the source code printout limit from 300 pages to 500 pages, which Judge Gilstrap granted on November 10, 2025. This is a significant development, indicating the depth of technical discovery involving source code review.

5. Trial Events & Present Posture

• Jury Selection (2026-06-01): The case is currently active and proceeding towards trial. Jury selection for case 2:24-cv-00644-JRG is scheduled for June 1, 2026.

6. Parallel PTAB IPR Proceedings

• IPR Filings (2024-12-17 onwards): Shenzhen Tuozhu Technology Co., Ltd., Bambulab Limited, Shanghai Lunkuo Technology Co. Ltd., and Tuozhu Technology Limited initiated multiple IPR petitions challenging various Stratasys patents asserted in the district court litigation.
• IPR for US Patent 9,421,713 (IPR2025-00321): An IPR petition challenging U.S. Patent No. 9,421,713, which relates to "Additive Manufacturing Method For Printing Three-Dimensional Parts With Purge Towers," was filed by Shenzhen Tuozhu Technology Co., Ltd. et al. on January 21, 2025, with an effective date of December 17, 2024.
• Institution of IPRs (2025): The PTAB instituted IPRs for three of Stratasys's patents, including 9,421,713, after finding a "reasonable likelihood" that the petitioner could demonstrate the invalidity of the challenged claims based on prior art. For IPR2025-00321 concerning patent 9,421,713, the status is "Trial Instituted" as of April 19, 2026.
• Denied IPR: However, the PTAB Director denied an IPR request by Bambu Lab for a fourth Stratasys patent (U.S. Patent No. 8,747,097 B2), which covers remote management of 3D printers.
• Effect on Litigation: The defendants' filings for IPRs and their institution were noted in district court filings, with arguments made against staying the district court case due to "limited investment" in parallel proceedings before a Markman order. Despite these IPR proceedings, the district court case continues to move forward toward trial.

Plaintiff Stratasys, Inc. is represented by the following counsel of record in Stratasys, Inc. v. Shanghai Lunkuo Technology Co. et al. (2:24-cv-00644-JRG):

• Aashish Gautam Kapadia

  • Role: Counsel of Record (specific role as lead or local not definitively determined from available information)
  • Firm & Office Location: Not explicitly stated in the provided search results for this appearance.
  • Relevant Experience: Appeared on behalf of Stratasys, Inc. in this patent infringement case.

• Brian W. Oaks

  • Role: Counsel of Record (specific role as lead or local not definitively determined from available information)
  • Firm & Office Location: Not explicitly stated in the provided search results for this appearance.
  • Relevant Experience: Appeared on behalf of Stratasys, Inc. in this patent infringement case.

• J. Mark Mann

  • Role: Likely Local Counsel
  • Firm & Office Location: Mann Tindel & Thompson, Tyler, Texas.
  • Relevant Experience: A partner at Mann Tindel & Thompson, he is an experienced trial lawyer in complex civil litigation, including patent litigation, particularly in the Eastern District of Texas. His firm is noted for representing national and international corporations in high-stakes patent infringement litigation in the Eastern District of Texas.

• Ryan S. Loveless

  • Role: Likely Lead Counsel
  • Firm & Office Location: Etheridge Law Group, PLLC, Southlake, Texas.
  • Relevant Experience: Ryan S. Loveless is a patent litigation attorney with a practice primarily focused on representing patent owners in intellectual property disputes, including in federal court and highly active in inter partes review (IPR) proceedings before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB). He has been ranked as a highly active and well-performing attorney representing patent owners in IPRs. While his specific appearance in 2:24-cv-00644-JRG for Stratasys is not directly cited in the provided snippets, his firm's and his own plaintiff-side patent litigation expertise makes him a probable lead counsel for Stratasys.

Counsel of Record for Defendant(s)

The following attorneys represent the defendants, Shanghai Lunkuo Technology Co., Shenzhen Tuozhu Technology Co., Bambulab Ltd., and associated subsidiaries, in Stratasys, Inc. v. Shanghai Lunkuo Technology Co. et al. in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas:

• Gregory Phillip Love

  • Role: Counsel of Record
  • Firm: Steckler Wayne & Love PLLC (likely based on email domain "stecklerlaw.com" and "glove@cjsjlaw.com" which may indicate a prior affiliation or shared office)
  • Office Location: Likely Dallas, Texas (as Steckler Wayne & Love PLLC is based there).
  • Experience Note: Gregory Love is a patent litigator with experience in the Eastern District of Texas. His appearance filing in the case indicates representation for all named defendants.

• Carl Edward Bruce

  • Role: Counsel of Record
  • Firm: Fish & Richardson P.C. (based on email domain "bruce@fr.com")
  • Office Location: Likely Dallas, Texas or Houston, Texas, where Fish & Richardson has offices.
  • Experience Note: Carl Bruce is a principal at Fish & Richardson, focusing on patent litigation, inter partes review, and post-grant proceedings, with significant experience in federal courts, including the Eastern District of Texas, and before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board.

• Thomas Howard Reger, II

  • Role: Counsel of Record
  • Firm: Fish & Richardson P.C. (based on email domain "reger@fr.com")
  • Office Location: Likely Dallas, Texas or Houston, Texas.
  • Experience Note: Thomas Reger is a principal at Fish & Richardson, specializing in patent litigation across various technologies, and has experience in District Courts nationwide and before the PTAB.

These attorneys appeared for the defendants during the Scheduling Conference/Case Management Conference held on November 7, 2024, before District Judge Rodney Gilstrap.