Given Imaging, Olympus settle video pill row:
This article was originally published in Clinica
Executive Summary
Endoscopy rivals Given Imaging and Olympus have settled a patent litigation suit in the US concerning the companies' pill-sized diagnostic cameras. The two firms signed a term sheet for the settlement of the litigation which will see Yoqneam, Israel-based Given receive a payment of $2.33m. All past legal action between the two firms has been dropped and the companies agreed not to sue over devices that are currently available. This settlement sees both parties gain a cross-licence under existing and future patents for any future capsule endoscopy products, which may include the payment of royalties. Both companies have also agreed to co-operate in future joint marketing development projects. Given originally filed a patent litigation lawsuit against Olympus in October 2006, not long after Olympus launched its Endo Capsule small bowel visualisation device in Europe.