10th February 2025
Breaking news! Abbott stripped of sensor's 3D trade mark!
The High Court last week ruled that the 3D circular shape of FreeStyle Libre sensors cannot be protected. The case involved Chinese CGM manufacturer Sinocare who Abbott alleged had infringed its trade mark. However, the court ruled in Sinocare's favour.
Image credit: Sinocare
The decision follows a similar ruling by the Supreme Court of Austria which found Abbott’s trademark was a weak mark. The Austrian court determined that consumers would not be confused between Sinocare’s iCan i3 and Abbott’s products.
A spokesperson from Sinocare said “Each of these decisions marks a significant victory for innovation and fair competition in the medical technology industry, affirming that product designs based on technical functionality cannot be monopolized through trademark protection,”
The judgments also reinforce the importance of consumer choice in diabetes care, ensuring that advanced CGM solutions remain accessible to users across the UK and beyond.”
Sinocare was founded in 2002 and is the largest manufacturer of CGMs in Asia.A press statement from Sinocare has been published here.
The full High Court judgement is available here.
Disclaimer
Blogs and publications on this website are independent of any involvement by medtech companies or diabetes related charities. To ensure there is no bias, we do not accept any products, freebies or other material from any medtech provider. Except where credited otherwise, all materials are copyright ©️Love My Libre Ltd.
Love My Libre is not associated or affiliated with Abbott or FreeStyle Libre. Content here and on our website www.lovemylibre.com does not constitute medical advice or replace the relationship between you and healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
The author of this blog has type 1 diabetes and uses the FreeStyle Libre 2 which is provided on NHS prescription.
Leave a comment (all fields required). Please note, we are unable to respond to individual comments posted here.