Epson Sued for Patent Infringement

Epson Sued for Patent Infringement

K.Mizra LLC, a patent licensing firm based in the United States, has filed a lawsuit against Epson America, Inc. and its parent company, Seiko Epson Corporation, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.

The case centers on claims that Epson has infringed four patents originally developed by Sharp Corporation, which K.Mizra acquired as part of its portfolio expansion strategy.

The disputed patents encompass technologies in multifunction printers, including user interfaces, document reading devices, and automated systems for consumable management. K.Mizra has specifically accused Epson’s WorkForce and EcoTank printers of unlawfully incorporating these innovations.

One of the highlighted patents, U.S. Patent No. 10,018,938, details a system for monitoring toner levels and automating replenishment. K.Mizra alleges that Epson’s ReadyInk service infringes on this patent by employing a similar method for monitoring ink supplies and initiating automatic orders.

Prior Notifications and Intentions

The legal action follows multiple notices to Epson, with K.Mizra claiming that the OEM continued to use the contested technologies despite warnings dating back to at least 2021. The plaintiff asserts that Epson’s actions constitute both direct infringement and inducement of infringement, as the company allegedly marketed and sold printers containing these patented features without obtaining the necessary licenses.

K.Mizra’s Demands

K.Mizra is seeking damages no less than a reasonable royalty, alongside enhanced compensation for what it describes as willful infringement by Epson. The firm has also requested injunctive relief to prevent further use of the contested technologies.

K.Mizra, which specializes in acquiring and monetizing intellectual property from prominent organizations such as IBM and Panasonic, emphasizes its role in providing secondary markets for innovation. Sharp, the original owner of the patents in question, is noted for its pioneering contributions to the multifunction printer market.

The lawsuit highlights a broader trend of conflicts in the printer industry, where companies increasingly rely on intellectual property enforcement to secure competitive advantages. If successful, the case could result in significant financial penalties for Epson and impact its ability to market certain products.

The case remains ongoing, with no timeline yet for resolution.

Related:

• Epson Unveils New Smart Charge A3 Inkjet Models
• Epson Unveils SC-S9150 Printer with Eco-Solvent Ink
• Epson and EKM Unite for Enhanced Print Fleet Management
• Epson Ends Laser Printing Era in Europe and Beyond
• Epson Expands WorkForce Pro Lineup with New A3 Color Devices

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