EU opens antitrust probe into Align Technology over Invisalign, scanner tying

BRUSSELS, June 30 (Reuters) - ‌The European ​Commission ​said on Tuesday that it has opened an antitrust investigation into U.S.-based ‌Align Technology over suspected tying of its ⁠iTero intra-oral scanners to Invisalign clear aligners in the ‌European Economic Area.

Here are ‌some more details:

• iTero intra-oral scanners are digital imaging systems that produce 3D scans of ​oral anatomy, according to the company website, and are typically used by dental ⁠professionals to order clear aligners.

• The European Commission said it was ​concerned that Align, which makes clear aligners and dental scanners, may have unfairly ​leveraged its Invisalign clear ‌aligners by effectively forcing dental professionals to purchase its iTero scanner if ⁠they wish to order Invisalign, potentially restricting competition.

• The probe, prompted by a complaint from a ⁠competitor, will assess whether the practices breach EU competition rules.

• ​Align decribed the European Commission's move as "purely procedural" and said it does not constitute an accusation or a ‌finding of wrongdoing.

• The company affirmed that its practices comply with ‌applicable competition law, and said it will cooperate ⁠fully with the ‌Commission.

(Reporting by Charlotte ​Van Campenhout and Ruchika Khanna in Bengaluru; Editing by Sharon Singleton and Sherry ‌Jacob-Phillips)

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