Procter & Gamble (P&G) is suing Team Technologies, a private-label manufacturer and distributor of tooth-whitening products, over allegations that Team Technologies is violating P&G's intellectual property by manufacturing and selling its Oral Care Whitening Dental Strips and Ultra Whitening Strips products.
P&G is suing Team Technologies to protect its investment in its technology and its Crest Whitestrips business, according to the company.
P&G introduced Crest Whitestrips for at-home whitening in 2001. Formulated with the same enamel-safe whitening ingredient dentists use, these teeth-whitening systems remove set-in stains below the enamel surface.
"P&G has made significant investments in the innovations behind our Crest Whitestrips products," said Deborah Majoras, chief legal officer of P&G, in a press release. "By filing a lawsuit against Team Technologies, we are taking steps to protect this investment and our business."
