A surgeon who invented a form of bariatric surgery known as the "mini-gastric bypass" has sued High Point, NC-based High Point Regional Health System and two affiliated physicians in federal court, claiming that they improperly used copyrighted materials related to his surgical technique. The physician, Dr. Robert Rutledge, has sued Dr. James Dash and Dr. Thomas Walsh, both of Cornerstone Surgery.
Since inventing the mini-gastric bypass in 1997, Rutledge has trained doctors across the U.S. on the procedure. His overall program includes forms, marketing and business support for affiliated physicians. When Rutledge's business broke ties with Cornerstone in May 2006, it lost the right to use these materials, but continued to do so, Rutledge says.
To learn more about the dispute:
- read this article in The Business Journal of the Greater Triad
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