Surgical Instrument Service Company, Inc. v. Intuitive Surgical, Inc.

  1. March 31, 2025

    Buyer Class Of Surgical Robots Is Certified In Antitrust Fight

    A California federal judge on Monday certified a class of thousands of hospitals alleging Intuitive Surgical monopolized the market for robotic surgical tools by blocking third-party repairs and tying services to robot purchases, finding the case raises common antitrust questions that can be resolved on a classwide basis.

  2. February 28, 2025

    Robotic Surgery Co. Appealing Tossed Intuitive Antitrust Case

    Surgical Instrument Service Co. Inc. is appealing to the Ninth Circuit after a California federal court tossed its $140 million antitrust case accusing Intuitive Surgical Inc. of blocking third parties from refurbishing components for its popular da Vinci surgery robot at the end of trial.

  3. January 28, 2025

    Intuitive Beats $140M Antitrust Case Ahead Of Closings

    A $140 million antitrust case against Intuitive Surgical Inc. took a dramatic turn toward the close of trial Tuesday when a California federal judge threw out all claims against Intuitive and discharged the jury, citing the lack of evidence of an aftermarket under the Ninth Circuit's recent Epic Games v. Apple ruling.

  4. January 27, 2025

    Jury Will Decide $140M Intuitive Robo-Surgery Antitrust Case

    A federal judge on Monday rejected dueling requests for directed verdicts at the wrap of a $140 million antitrust trial over claims that Intuitive Surgical abused its market power in barring a repair provider's refurbished part for Intuitive's surgery robot, saying there's "substantial evidence" for jurors to decide on the parties' claims and counterclaims.

  5. January 24, 2025

    Intuitive Doesn't Owe 'Free-Riding' Firm $140M, Expert Says

    Robotic surgery pioneer Intuitive Surgical isn't a monopolist since it competes with other surgery options and a "free-riding" surgical repair company isn't due up to $140 million in profits allegedly lost due to Intuitive blocking its unauthorized part-refurbishment service, an economist testified Friday in a California antitrust trial.

  6. January 23, 2025

    Intuitive Judge Walks Back 'Inappropriate' Witness Instruction

    Counsel for Intuitive Surgical objected Thursday to a California federal judge's "inappropriate instruction" to a witness testifying in a trial over allegations it abused its market power by blocking hospitals from using a refurbished part for its surgery robot, prompting the judge to walk back the direction.

  7. January 22, 2025

    Intuitive Chief Rejects Da Vinci Robot Market Monopoly Claim

    Intuitive Surgical's president testified Wednesday in a $140 million California federal antitrust trial over claims the da Vinci surgical robot maker abuses its market power by blocking hospitals from having third parties refurbish a crucial robot component, saying there's no monopoly since Intuitive competes with traditional and laparoscopic surgery offerings.

  8. January 21, 2025

    Intuitive Seeks Midtrial End To Robo-Surgery Antitrust Suit

    Before calling its first defense witness Tuesday, Intuitive Surgical urged a federal judge to find in its favor in a trial over claims that it abused its market dominance by blocking third parties from refurbishing a component of its da Vinci surgery robot, saying there's no evidence of an unlawful tying arrangement.

  9. January 15, 2025

    Robo Surgery Co. Caused $140M In Lost Profits, Jury Told

    Surgical Instrument Service suffered lost profits of up to $140 million because Intuitive Surgical Inc. blocked it from providing a service that extends the life of an Intuitive da Vinci surgery robot component, an economist told jurors Wednesday in a trial over claims Intuitive abuses its market power.

  10. January 13, 2025

    Robo-Surgery Part Reset Is Reliable, Expert Tells Antitrust Jury

    A mechanical engineering expert who testified Monday in an antitrust trial in California federal court over claims that Intuitive Surgical Inc. abuses its market power by blocking hospitals from extending the life of a surgical robot part said the extension procedure was "thorough" and "reliable."