Align Technology Wins China Patent Case Against Angelalign, Angel Appeals

Align Technology announced that the Jinan Intermediate People’s Court in China ruled in favor of Align in a patent infringement lawsuit against Angelalign Technology’s Chinese operating subsidiaries.

In September 2025, the Tempe, Arizona-based orthodontics company filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Angelalign in China over extraction-gap-closure technology. On August 10, the Jinan Intermediate People’s Court ruled that Angelalign’s MasterForce and ATreat systems, as well as aligners produced using the technology, infringe Align’s patent.

The court ordered Angelalign to stop using the patented technology and manufacturing and selling infringing products in China and awarded Align RMB 10 million in damages. Angel may appeal to China’s Supreme People’s Court; the appeal deadline has not yet expired.

The ruling follows other recent patent-enforcement actions by Align against Angelalign. In February, the Unified Patent Court upheld a preliminary injunction requiring Angelalign to stop infringing Align’s ClinCheck Live Update technology. In July, the U.S. International Trade Commission held an evidentiary hearing on five Align patents, with an initial determination expected in November.

Align also continues to pursue patent actions against Angelalign affiliates in China and Europe.

“Align has made significant long-term investments in innovation and in the Chinese market,” said CEO Joe Hogan. “We respect the role of China’s courts in protecting intellectual property rights and are encouraged by this decision. Protecting intellectual property is essential to sustaining that innovation and ensuring continued investment in technologies that benefit doctors and patients. This decision reinforces the value and strength of Align’s intellectual property portfolio and the significant investments we have made to develop industry-leading technologies. We remain committed to supporting fair competition, advancing innovation, and protecting our intellectual property rights while competing in the marketplace.”

Angelalign soon after issued a statement saying that it would appeal the Chinese court’s decision.

The company believes its A7 Premolar Extraction Solution doesn’t infringe any valid patent, citing that it’s won several patent disputes against Align in other jurisdictions around the world.

“The court’s decision is limited to China. Even in China, there is no immediate impact on our customers,” said Angelalign CEO Fox Hu. “We feel very good about growth in orthodontist support for our professional solutions around the world. We feel confident about winning this appeal against our competitor, given we’ve won a series of similar cases.”