D Systems & US Department of Justice reach agreement

Citation

(2002), "D Systems & US Department of Justice reach agreement", Assembly Automation, Vol. 22 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/aa.2002.03322aab.002

D Systems & US Department of Justice reach agreement

D Systems & US Department of Justice reach agreement

Keyword: Rapid prototyping

3D Systems has entered into an agreement with the US Department of Justice that will enable the company to complete its previously announced merger with the Austin, Texas based DTM Corporation.

Under the terms of the settlement agreement, filed on August 16th 2001, 3D Systems has agreed to enter into a patent licensing agreement for either stereolithography or selective laser sintering with a third party.

"We are very pleased that we have reached a mutually acceptable agreement with the Department of Justice," said Brian K. Service, 3D Systems' president and chief executive officer. "We believe that the merger with DTM will result in considerable benefit to our company, shareholders and customers, enabling us to offer a full spectrum of material systems to current and prospective customers. We are entering the initial stages of becoming a viable technology for use in direct and indirect in-line manufacturing, and we believe that being able to offer multiple materials systems and related processing technologies, including selective laser sintering, will accelerate our progress in this 11 arena.

Brian Service continues, "We expect to maintain facilities in Austin, which is expected to become a strong sales and marketing regional base for our company in the USA and will headquarter a demonstration centre as well as development related to sintering technology.

Over the years, development at DTM hos benefited from a strong and ongoing relationship with research facilities at the University of Texas, Austin - a relationship we look forward to continuing."

In February 2001, 3D Systems announced it acquired OptoForm, a French company that developed stereolithography systems that use paste materials. In April 2001, the company announced the signing of a definitive merger agreement to purchase DTM Corporation, contingent upon certain conditions.

For further information contact Maria Izamis, 3D Systems Europe Ltd Limited, The Progression Centre, Mark Road, Hemel Hempstead, Herts. HP2 7DW UK. Tel: 01442 282600; Fax: 01442 282601; E-mail: izamism@3dsystems.co.uk