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CoorsTek Bioceramics announced today that the US PTO Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB) has ruled in its favor cancelling CeramTec GmbH’s trademarks in the color pink. The ruling again affirms CoorsTek Bioceramics’ right to market and sell its pink CeraSurf®-p ceramic hip replacement components in the US.
The proceeding was initiated by CoorsTek Bioceramics (formerly C5 MedicalWerks) in 2014 in response to an attempt by CeramTec to enforce its claimed trademark and trade dress in the color pink for its ceramic hip implant components. In its order, the TTAB found the color pink covered by the CeramTec trademark registrations to be functional, and therefore unregistrable.
CoorsTek Bioceramics CeraSurf®-p material is a state-of-the-art technical ceramic material containing a chromium oxide additive for improved performance including increased hardness. The pink coloring of products manufactured from CeraSurf®-p ceramic is a natural byproduct of the additive.
“Recent global events have cast a bright light on the dangers of singular or limited supply sources in key markets,” said Jonathan Coors, CEO of CoorsTek. “This decision will not only ensure a consistent supply of crucial components, it will foster competition, drive innovation, and enable efficiencies in the surgical marketplace—ultimately benefitting patients receiving critical medical care.”
Clinical evidence shows femoral heads (hip balls) manufactured from CeraSurf®-p ceramic material demonstrate exceptional mechanical performance and durability. Hip systems incorporating CeraSurf®-p hip components were initially cleared for regulatory use in Brazil in 2011and have since been registered for use by customers of CoorsTek Bioceramics in the US, China, the EU, and Japan. Additional worldwide regulatory clearances are pending.
“CoorsTek Bioceramics offers increased confidence to medical device OEMs and the surgeons reliant on these products,” said Lucian Strong, Vice President of CoorsTek Bioceramics. “With the growing popularity of ceramic bearing surfaces used in hip arthroplasty, it is essential for healthcare providers to have access to high-quality, substantially equivalent options.”
The ruling comes at a good time for CoorsTek Bioceramics, as the company recently broke ground on a major expansion of its manufacturing facility in Grand Junction, CO USA. The expansion will vastly increase the company’s capacity for manufacturing the advanced ceramic hip components.
CeramTec GmbH has until early February 2023 to file an appeal of the TTAB trademark cancellation order.
Similarly in the EU in 2021, the Paris Court of Appeals upheld the cancellations of the three EU trademarks and the dismissal of CeramTec’s trademark infringement and parasitic competition claims against CoorsTek. The Court confirmed the trademarks were filed in bad faith and additionally ordered CeramTec to pay damages for abuse of trademark law, thus clearing the pathway for CoorsTek to market CeraSurf®-p products in the European Union. Read more on the 2021 decision.
About CoorsTek Bioceramics
CoorsTek Bioceramics is dedicated to leading edge manufacturing of technical ceramic implant components for the medical device industry. A wholly owned subsidiary of CoorsTek, Inc., CoorsTek Bioceramics is backed by over 100 years of technical ceramics expertise. With a focus on ceramic bearing surfaces for total joint arthroplasty, CoorsTek Bioceramics components can also be found in implant devices for neurological, cardiological, spinal, and radiation applications. Since 2005, over six million CoorsTek Bioceramics components have been sold and distributed for clinical use.
About CoorsTek
Founded in 1910 and continuously owned and operated by the Coors family, CoorsTek is a leading global manufacturer of technical ceramics. By leveraging expertise in engineering and materials science, CoorsTek provides solutions to complex challenges in the medical, semiconductor, automotive, aerospace, and other industries. With over 400 proprietary material formulations, vertically integrated systems, and unparalleled process capabilities, CoorsTek partners with its customers to make the world measurably better. Visit www.coorstek.com
Contact Details
CoorsTek
Megan Maguire
+1 303-503-2287
Company Website
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