Procter & Gamble files infringement lawsuit against Team Technologies Inc.

The Procter & Gamble Company (P&G) has filed a lawsuit against Team Technologies, Inc., a private-label manufacturer and distributor of tooth whitening products. The lawsuit alleges that Team Technologies is violating P&G’s intellectual property by manufacturing and selling its private label “Oral Care Whitening Dental Strips” and “Ultra Whitening Strips” products. The unauthorized use of patented technology is prohibited by law. P&G is suing Team Technologies in order to protect its investment in its technology and its Crest Whitestrips business.

According to P&G…
• The company revolutionized the process of at-home whitening with the introduction of Crest Whitestrips to the public in 2001, and has had a steady stream of innovations on its product over the past decade.
• Crest 3D White Whitestrips offer great consumer benefits, such as Crest 3D White’s most advanced adhesion technology, to deliver an enhanced tooth whitening experience with no slip and no mess. Formulated with the same enamel-safe whitening ingredient dentists use, these teeth whitening systems remove set in stains below the enamel surface.
• The Crest 3D White Whitestrips technology is a competitive advantage to P&G in the marketplace and P&G intends to protect its investment in the product.

“P&G has made significant investments in the innovations behind our Crest Whitestrips products. We treat infringements of our intellectual property rights protecting these innovations very seriously,” said Deborah P. Majoras, chief legal officer of P&G. “By filing a lawsuit against Team Technologies, we are taking steps to protect this investment and our business.”