Hologic, Fujifilm settle mammography patent dispute

Hologic and Fujifilm Medical Systems USA have agreed to settle a dispute over patents relating to digital mammography technology, with the firms signing an agreement that will enable both to continue selling their products in the U.S. and worldwide.

Hologic initiated the litigation in 2017, filing a lawsuit in a federal court in Connecticut that charged Fujifilm with violating a number of patents covering x-ray mammography with tomosynthesis and other related mammography technologies found on its Selenia Dimensions digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) system. In particular, Hologic charged that Fujifilm's Aspire Cristalle violated its patents.

Fujifilm and its parent company countered with a lawsuit of their own in 2018, charging Hologic with antitrust violations and infringement on four Fujifilm patents for capturing and processing DBT images. Fujifilm charged that Hologic's 3D Dimensions and Selenia Dimensions used its own patented technology.

In July 2018, Hologic won a ruling by an administrative law judge on the patent issue; the judge ruled that Fujifilm infringed on all of the Hologic patents that were brought to trial. The judge also recommended an order that would bar the infringing Fujifilm products from being sold in the U.S.

However, the litigation has now been settled, with an agreement between the firms that allows both to continue selling their products in the U.S., according to a joint statement issued by both companies.

"Hologic and Fujifilm have reached an agreement that resolves all litigation between them and that allows each party to continue selling and servicing its current full line of mammography imaging systems and related products globally," the joint statement reads.