A new complaint could revitalize the European Union’s probe into practices surrounding printer replacement cartridges.
The Wall Street Journal reported Thursday that the EU is studying a complaint by Static Control Components Inc. against Lexmark International Inc. Static Control has been locked in a battle with Lexmark over practices by which printer replacement cartridges are sold.
No action was taken following an earlier EU investigation of printer replacement cartridge sales practices.
In a separate legal action last fall, Lexmark won a federal court opinion against Arizona Cartridge Remanufacturers Association, which had challenged Lexmark’s replacement policy for replacement laser toner cartridges. Static Control was a sponsor of the ACRA litigation, Lexmark said at the time. Both firms have claimed victories in proceedings before the U. S. Copyright Office.
The issue of replacement cartridges is a hugely important one to some. For instance, Lexmark’s printer supply business represents about one-half of its $4.4 billion revenue in 2002. Consumers can save up to 40 percent by buying a remanufactured cartridge from an independent supplier. Both firms have denied any wrongdoing concerning the issue.