SAN JOSE, Calif., April 2, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Align Technology, Inc. (Nasdaq:ALGN) announced today that the United States International Trade Commission (ITC) has voted to institute an investigation of alleged patent infringement by ClearCorrect Operating, LLC, of Houston, Texas and ClearCorrect Pakistan (Private), Ltd., of Pakistan. The ITC's decision is based on a formal complaint filed by Align last month.

In a complaint filed with the ITC on March 1, 2012, Align asserts that ClearCorrect infringes seven Align patents related to methods for planning and implementing orthodontic treatment using aligners. The complaint alleges that treatment planning for ClearCorrect's products is performed by ClearCorrect Pakistan at a facility in Lahore, Pakistan. The complaint requests the ITC institute an immediate investigation and ultimately issue a cease and desist order prohibiting ClearCorrect from using the digital data representing orthodontic treatment that is imported into the US and infringes Align's patents, and prohibiting ClearCorrect from selling aligners manufactured using such treatment plans. The ITC may issue an exclusionary order and/or cease and desist orders if the Commission determines that ClearCorrect has violated even one of the multiple patent claims included in Align's complaint.

According to the Notice of Investigation issued by the ITC, within 45 days after institution of the investigation, the ITC will set a target date for completing the investigation.

About Align Technology, Inc.

Align Technology designs, manufactures and markets Invisalign, a proprietary method for treating malocclusion, or the misalignment of teeth. Invisalign corrects malocclusion using a series of clear, nearly invisible, removable appliances that gently move teeth to a desired final position. Because it does not rely on the use of metal or ceramic brackets and wires, Invisalign significantly reduces the aesthetic and other limitations associated with braces. Invisalign is appropriate for treating adults and teens. Align Technology was founded in March 1997 and received FDA clearance to market Invisalign in 1998.The Invisalign product family includes Invisalign, Invisalign Teen, Invisalign Assist, Invisalign Express 10, Invisalign Express 5, and Vivera Retainers. To learn more about Invisalign or to find an Invisalign trained doctor in your area, please visit www.invisalign.com.

Cadent Holdings, Inc. is a subsidiary of Align Technology and is a leading provider of 3D digital scanning solutions for orthodontics and dentistry. The Cadent family of products includes iTero and iOC scanning systems, OrthoCADiCast, OrthoCADiQ and OrthoCADiRecord. For additional information, please visit www.itero.com.

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          Shirley Stacy

          Align Technology, Inc.

          (408) 470-1150

          sstacy@aligntech.com



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          Shannon Mangum Henderson

          Ethos Communication, Inc.

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