Epson targets counterfeit cartridges in Australia and NZ
Epson Australia is following through strongly on Epson's global push to deter counterfeit copies and patent infringements of the ink and cartridge technology used in Epson inkjet printers.
In Australia and New Zealand Epson employs private investigators to trace sales of possible counterfeit cartridges and help prosecute offenders. Epson is also looking at imported non-genuine cartridges being sold as compatible with Epson printers to see if they violate any of Epson's patents. This follows Epson's successful actions on patent infringements internationally.
In the new series of international actions, Epson has entered settlement agreements in a patent infringement action pending with the U.S. International Trade Commission and similar lawsuits pending in the U.S. District Court in Oregon, with five suppliers of aftermarket printer supplies and their related companies.
Among the settling defendants are three major manufacturers of aftermarket printer supplies: Artech GMBH of Germany, Ink Lab Co. Ltd. of Hong Kong, and InkTec Co. Ltd. of Korea, as well as two major U.S. distributors of aftermarket printer supplies: Inkjetwarehouse.com Inc. of Connecticut, and Rhinotek Computer Products Inc. of California.
As part of the District Court settlements and proposed ITC consent orders, each of the defendants has acknowledged the validity and infringement of at least 10 Epson patents and agreed to cease importing a wide range of infringing cartridges for Epson desktop inkjet printers.
According to Epson, it does not and never has licensed third party companies to make and sell ink or cartridges for Epson printers.
In Australia, Epson will not hesitate to take legal action against any reseller if they are found to have sold counterfeit Epson inkjet cartridges to customers. Similarly, Epson is referring non-genuine cartridges for investigation for possible patent infringement similar to US actions.
Having invested heavily over many years in creating inks and cartridges that deliver vibrant and long lasting photographic and fine art prints, as well as outstanding everyday printing jobs, Epson is now investing considerable resources in protecting its intellectual property.
According to Epson, it cannot sit back and watch while these pirates steal its intellectual property for their personal gain and in some cases defraud customers by passing their products off as genuine Epson inks and cartridges.
28-Feb-2007