Epson Seeks Exclusion, Cease And Desist Orders from ITC

In its case with the United States International Trade Commission (USITC), against various manufacturers and distributors of imaging consumables, Epson is requesting a permanent general exclusion order, a limited exclusion order, and permanent cease and desist orders.

According to the ITC 337 Law Blog, Epson claimed 19 respondents “unlawfully import into the U.S., sell for importation, and/or sell within the U.S. after importation, certain unauthorized, aftermarket ink cartridges and components,” which allegedly infringe its asserted 5 patents. Further, the OEM stated that “a general exclusion order is warranted given the numerous sources abroad of allegedly infringing ink cartridges and components thereof and the available channels of distribution.”

It should be noted that the asserted patents generally relate to a printing material container and a board mounted on a printing material container.  “In particular, the 8,366,233 patent relates to a plurality of terminals adapted and positioned to contact printer-side, contact forming members so that electrical communication is enabled with the printer.

Epson’s 8,454,116 patent relates to placing the high-voltage contact portions at the outermost ends of the overall contact portion arrangement and including a short detection contact portion that is placed between one of the high-voltage contact portions and all other contact portions.

Epson’s 8,794,749 patent relates to arranging the contact portions in two rows, and placing the high-voltage contact portions at the outermost ends of the lower (deeper) row.

The 8,801,163 patent relates to placing the high-voltage contact portions at the outermost ends of a row and of the overall contact portion arrangement and including a short detection contact portion that is placed between one of the high-voltage contact portions and all other contact portions.

Lastly, the 8,882,513 patent relates to arranging the contact portions in two rows and placing the high-voltage contact portions at the outermost ends of one of the rows and including a short detection contact portion.”

Recycling Times recently reported on the case, and more can be read at bit.ly/epson5912.