# 2025-23801: Feds Probe Invisible Braces for Sneaky Patent Theft

2025-23801, Certain Clear Aligners and Components Thereof; Institution of Investigation, is a Federal Register notice from International Trade Commission published 2025-12-29, effective 2025-12-19 (as of 2026-06-08).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2025-23801
- As of: 2026-06-08
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Document number: 2025-23801
- Title: Certain Clear Aligners and Components Thereof; Institution of Investigation
- Type: Notice
- Agencies: International Trade Commission
- Citation: 90 FR 60740
- Published: 2025-12-29
- Effective: 2025-12-19
- Comments close: not stated
- Significant: no
- Touches household money: no
- Regulation identifier numbers: none
- Last updated: 2026-06-08

## In one line

Feds Probe Invisible Braces for Sneaky Patent Theft

## Summary

Align Technology, Inc. has asked the U.S. International Trade Commission to investigate certain clear aligners and their parts for patent infringement. If the claims are true, the Commission might block some imports and sales in the U.S., protecting American innovation. This investigation started in late 2025 and could impact companies selling these products, possibly changing what’s allowed on the market and affecting money flow.

## Abstract

Notice is hereby given that a complaint was filed with the U.S. International Trade Commission on September 23, 2025, under section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended, on behalf of Align Technology, Inc. of Tempe, Arizona. A letter supplementing the complaint was filed on November 20, 2025. The complaint, as supplemented, alleges violations of section 337 based upon the importation into the United States, the sale for importation, and the sale within the United States after importation of certain clear aligners and components thereof by reason of the infringement of certain claims of U.S. Patent No. 11,766,313 ("the '313 patent"); U.S. Patent No. 11,766,314 ("the '314 patent"); U.S. Patent No. 8,899,977 ("the '977 patent"); U.S. Patent No. 12,059,321 ("the '321 patent"); U.S. Patent No. 10,980,616 ("the '616 patent"); and U.S. Patent No. 11,490,996 ("the '996 patent"). The complaint further alleges that an industry in the United States exists as required by the applicable Federal Statute. The complainant requests that the Commission institute an investigation and, after the investigation, issue a limited exclusion order and cease and desist orders.

## Effects PRIA read

- Investigation Could Block Aligner Imports: cost, high. On December 19, 2025 the Commission instituted an investigation into certain clear plastic aligners and their components (including the tri-layer material) for alleged patent infringement. The complainant asked the Commission to issue limited exclusion orders and cease and desist orders that could…
- Named Respondents Face 20-Day Response Risk: cost, medium. The complaint names specific respondents (Angelalign Technology Inc.; Wuxi EA Medical Instruments, Technologies Co., Ltd.; Wuxi EA Bio-Tech Co., Ltd.; Shanghai EA Medical Instruments Co., Ltd.; and USA Angelalign Technology Corp.). Respondents must file responses within 20 days after service or ris…

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## Sources
- [2025-23801 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/12/29/2025-23801/certain-clear-aligners-and-components-thereof-institution-of-investigation)
- [2025-23801 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2025-12-29/pdf/2025-23801.pdf)

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Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2025-23801 (as of 2026-06-08).