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exhibitors18 Greater New York Dental Meeting — Dec. 1, 2015 Ad By Fred Michmershuizen, today Staff n Sulzer Mixpac AG is the manufac- tureroftrademarkedMIXPACmixing tips that are used in two-component dental applications, such as impres- sions and cements. MIXPAC tips — which are recogniz- able by their distinctive dome shape and various colors — are designed to minimize waste while providing con- sistent results. Importantly, the com- pany is known for adhering to strict quality-control measures and rigid cleanliness and performance stand- ards at its factory in Switzerland. Speaking during an interview on the exhibit hall floor during the New York meeting, Sulzer Mixpac repre- sentativeswarnedthatunscrupulous suppliers have been infiltrating the market with unauthorized, inferior product. These counterfeit mixing tips, which often come from China or Korea, might look the same, but they don’t have the same quality and per- formance, said Michael T. Murphy, a U.S. attorney who represents Sulzer Mixpac in various patent and trade- mark enforcement actions. To date, Sulzer has been successful in enforc- The company wants dentists to steer clear of these knockoffs and onlybuygenuineSulzerproductfrom reputable dealers. “We believe that a well-informed dentist, once they understand the differencesbetweenSulzer’sgenuine product and the counterfeit product, will not risk their reputation by buy- ing the counterfeit,” Murphy said. “After all, 50 cents to risk the dentist’s reputation and the patient’s health and perhaps have a procedure thatisnotfullyeffectiveissomething that a well-informed dentist will never do,” Murphy said. There are additional risks with counterfeit, said Hans-Peter Brack, a senior patent attorney represent- ing Sulzer in Switzerland. “We are very careful with the plastics that we source at Sulzer Mixpac,” Brack said.“Theproblemwithsomeofthese counterfeits is, who knows where they are getting these plastics from and what types of additives might be in these plastics — potentially toxic additives that can leach out as the components are going through the mixer and be transported potentially into a patient’s mouth. So that’s an additional health risk, besides the lack of clean room and so forth.” DanielI.Hwang,aU.S.patentattor- ney representing Sulzer, said that the company has heard of dentists pur- chasing counterfeit product online. “We even heard of one guy buying these off a truck and then reselling to dentists on eBay,” Hwang said. “But thereareproperchannelstogetthese products, and that is definitely the safest way.” “Use established distributors,” Hwang said. “Don’t just jump on eBay and put your patients at risk.” The good news, according to the company, is that there are a number of steps dentists can take to be sure they are buying genuine MIXPAC mixers. First, look for the Mixpac quality seal and trademarked logo, which identifies the tip as being Swiss-made. Be sure to buy from a reputable source, and avoid bargain hunting online. Murphysummarized:“Wearewin- ning the battle on the legal front, but we are also reaching out to the den- tists, because we know that if we can reduce the demand from the dentist for these copycat products, that that’s when we will ultimately make sure that only original and safe products are available for the customer.” For mixing tips, you can trust Sulzer 5 The folks at Sulzer Mixpac AG (booth No. 5025) want you to know that they are a trusted source for mix- ing tips. Don’t be fooled by imitators. (Photo/ Fred Michmershuizen, today Staff) ing its trademark rights, securing court actions and effecting seizures of goods at the border by U.S. Customs officials.