Epson Obtained A $17 million Default Judgment

Straightouttaink sells on eBay and its website, and Vintrick sells on Amazon, eBay, and Newegg, according to Epson.

The complaints allege infringement of claims from U.S. Patent 6,955,422, U.S. Patent 8,794,749, and U.S. Patent 8,454,116.

These patent claims were previously adjudicated in actions filed with the U.S. International Trade Commission resulting in two General Exclusion Orders barring the importation of all newly built and remanufactured cartridges that infringe the claims, Epson said.

These two additional lawsuits underscore Epson’s continued commitment to promoting fair competition, particularly on internet marketplaces, the company said.

Epson said its concerted campaign is focused on protecting the company’s intellectual property and ensuring that legitimate resellers can compete fairly for sales of printer supplies for Epson printers.

“We are encouraged that Epson’s enforcement programs have resulted in compliance on top internet marketplaces, which largely sell consumer and business inkjet printer cartridges,” said Jilana Miller, assistant general counsel for Epson. “However, we continue to address the persistent culture of infringement and unfair competition perpetrated on internet marketplaces and through other channels.”

Epson’s enforcement program includes a broad range of efforts to reach infringers throughout the distribution and sales channels:

• Two ITC actions resulting in the -565 and -946 General Exclusion Orders that prohibit all imports into the U.S. of a wide range of infringing cartridges for Epson consumer inkjet printers, business inkjet printers, and large format professional printers;
• Since November 2016, Epson has filed 19 patent infringement lawsuits against 42 internet marketplace resellers and large format printer cartridge resellers infringing Epson’s patents and violating the General Exclusion Orders;
• Frequent enforcement takedowns against intellectual property infringements and trademark misuse through the brand protection programs administered by eBay and Amazon;
• Notice and communications programs to encourage fair competition by informing resellers of Epson’s intellectual property rights and the procedures for accurately and fairly listing printer supplies for marketplace sales.