Markforged Announces Settlement In IP Litigation
And Also Announces A Successful Launch of FX10 Metal Capability At IMTS
Markforged Holding Corporation (NYSE: MKFG), the company strengthening manufacturing resiliency by enabling industrial production at the point of need, today announced that it has entered into a Settlement and Patent License Agreement (the "Settlement Agreement") in connection with the patent infringement litigation brought by Continuous Composites Inc. ("Continuous Composites"). The Settlement Agreement resolves all claims and counterclaims in this litigation, which is currently pending before the United States District Court for the District of Delaware (the "District Court").
Under the terms of the Settlement Agreement, Markforged will make an upfront payment of $18 million to Continuous Composites, which is expected to occur in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2024, and three additional installment payments thereafter of $1 million, $2 million and $4 million in the fourth quarters of fiscal years 2025, 2026 and 2027, respectively. In consideration of such payments, the Settlement Agreement provides for a dismissal of all claims with prejudice, cross-licenses of the parties' respective patent portfolios, a mutual release of claims for liabilities arising prior to the effective date of the Settlement Agreement and mutual covenants not to sue. As a condition to the effectiveness of the Settlement Agreement, the Company also entered into a Security Agreement with Continuous Composites pursuant to which the Company granted Continuous Composites a security interest in, among other assets, Markforged's patent intellectual property rights. The Settlement Agreement acknowledges that neither party admitted to any liability or wrongdoing with respect to the claims alleged in the Continuous Composites Lawsuit.
The Settlement Agreement also requires the parties to file a joint dismissal of the dispute with prejudice with the District Court to dismiss all claims and counterclaims with prejudice. The Settlement Agreement is subject to review by the District Court.
"We are pleased to announce this Settlement Agreement which, if approved by the District Court, will bring this litigation to a successful conclusion that will eliminate this distraction to Markforged and the uncertainty over the outcome of this litigation for all of our stakeholders," commented Shai Terem, President and Chief Executive Officer of Markforged. "In addition, we are particularly excited after the successful launch of metal printing capability for the FX10, the world's first industrial 3D printer for metals and composites, at the International Manufacturing Technology Show in Chicago. With the Settlement Agreement in place and the previously announced $25 million cost reduction initiative implemented, we are committed to advancing our strategic objectives and executing on our strategy to bring industrial 3D printing right to the factory floor."
About Markforged
Markforged (NYSE:MKFG) is enabling more resilient and flexible manufacturing by bringing industrial 3D printing right to the factory floor. Our additive manufacturing platform The Digital Forge allows manufacturers to create strong, accurate parts in both metal and advanced composites. With over 10,000 customers in 70+ countries, we're bringing on-demand industrial production to the point of need. We are headquartered in Waltham, Mass where we design the hardware, software and advanced materials that makes The Digital Forge reliable and easy to use. To learn more, visit www.markforged.com.