Dynamic, National Graphics settle patent dispute

Batman and Superman are still fighting in movie theaters, but a battle over plastics technology that was used in comic books featuring those characters has ended.

The legal conflict over lenticular technology was between Dynamic Drinkware LLC of Oshkosh, Wis., and Waukesha, Wis.-based National Graphics Inc. On March 31, the two firms announced that Dynamic has purchased National's patent portfolio, officially ending the dispute. No purchase price was disclosed in the deal.

The patents cover molded articles such as cups and bottles that bear a lenticular image. Images printed on a lenticular lens are transformed from static images into dynamic art through special effects. In 2013 and 2014, DC Comics used National's 3-D motion technology to create amorphous PET film covers featuring Superman, Batman and other characters.

The purchase also ends similar disputes between National and competitors Service Litho-Print Inc. and Brax Ltd. U.S. District Court Judge William Greisbach granted a motion in January confirming that Dynamic and the two other firms did not infringe on three lenticular patents filed by National.

“The resolution will benefit the injection molding industry and eliminate the threat of future litigation over this issue,” Dynamic President Barry Johnson said in a news release. “We are happy to put this matter behind us, and are looking forward to expanding our offerings with lenticular and other high-quality cups.”

National owner Donald Krause added in the release that his firm is “extremely proud” of its patent portfolio, which was the result of “a considerable investment of [National] resources to develop and protect our innovations.”

Johnson previously told Plastics News that the ongoing lawsuit had not affected Dynamic's day-to-day operations. Prior to the sale agreement, the case was moving toward a trial that would have been held this summer. National filed the original lawsuit in September 2014 and initially won a review held by the U.S Patent & Trademark office in Washington.

Dynamic was founded in 2006. The firm is a full-service supplier of high-quality souvenir cups for major brands around the world, including those in the sports and entertainment markets.

National had billed itself as the world leader in lenticular technology. Krause founded the firm in 1976 Krause to produce color separations for local printers in the Milwaukee area.

In the mid-1990s, National's engineering and development team created its patented Extreme Vision software. National then made the move from color separations to lenticular production.