P&G files infringement lawsuit over tooth-whitening tech

CINCINNATI — Procter & Gamble has filed a lawsuit in the Southern District of Ohio against CAO Group, a manufacturer and distributor of dental products. The lawsuit alleges that CAO Group is violating P&G's intellectual property by manufacturing and selling its “Sheer White,” “Sheer FluorX” and “Sheer DesenZ” products.

P&G is suing CAO Group in order to protect its investment in its technology and its Crest Whitestrips business.

P&G explains that the oral care technology used in Crest 3D White Whitestrips gives the company a competitive advantage in the marketplace and it intends on protecting its investment in the product.

“P&G has made significant investments in the innovations behind our Crest Whitestrips products. We treat infringements of our intellectual property rights protecting these innovations very seriously," said Deborah P. Majoras, chief legal officer of P&G. “By filing a lawsuit against CAO Group, we are taking steps to protect this investment and our business.”

P&G portfolio of brands includes Pampers, Tide, Ariel, Always, Whisper, Pantene, Mach3, Bounty, Dawn, Fairy, Gain, Charmin, Downy, Lenor, Iams, Crest, Oral-B, Duracell, Olay, Head & Shoulders, Wella, Gillette, Braun, Fusion, Ace, Febreze, Ambi Pur, SK-II and Vicks. The P&G community includes operations in approximately 75 countries worldwide.