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USITC has extended its investigation until August 2026, these Epson counterfeit ink cartridge clones are still actively selling online, with no restrictions, until the official ban from the ITC takes effect in late 2026—or possibly even in 2027.
*Click here to download the latest USITC scheduling for this investigations*
August 2025 — Despite an active Section 337 patent investigation by the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC), a number of Chinese ink cartridge manufacturers named as respondents remain openly active on U.S. e-commerce platforms—particularly Amazon.
The investigation, initiated by Epson America and its affiliates, alleges widespread patent infringement by more than a dozen Chinese and U.S.-based companies. The USITC originally set a 16-month timeline but extended it to 18 months due to the case’s complexity. The final ruling is now expected by August 17, 2026, with full investigation procedures concluding as late as December 17, 2026.
Since the USITC has extended its investigation until August 2026, these counterfeit ink cartridge cloners are still actively selling online, with no restrictions, until the official ban from the ITC takes effect in late 2026—or possibly even in 2027 depending on final procedural steps and enforcement delays.
Companies like Dongguan Ocbestjet Digital Technology Co., Ltd.—doing business as Ocbestjet—continue to list and sell ink cartridges through multiple storefronts on Amazon and Alibaba. A recent review of product listings confirms that Ocbestjet’s branded cartridges are not only available, but prominently marketed as “compatible” replacements for Epson printers.
Tatrix International China Co., Ltd., another named respondent, maintains an active global presence through Alibaba and Made-in-China.com, targeting U.S. resellers who can distribute through domestic online marketplaces.
Other entities named in the complaint—including PayForLess, Inkgo, Greenjob, Triple-Color, Upriin, and HaloFox—may be using alternate seller accounts or brand aliases, making enforcement even more complicated.
While Epson has taken aggressive legal action at the federal level, Amazon and other platforms are not required to block sales until the USITC issues a formal exclusion or cease-and-desist order. Even then, enforcement relies heavily on U.S. Customs and cooperation from marketplaces, which historically has been slow and inconsistent.
This situation underscores a key gap in the enforcement of intellectual property rights: companies accused of violating U.S. patent law can continue selling in the U.S. for years while litigation unfolds. By the time a ruling is reached, untold volumes of infringing or counterfeit products may have already saturated the market—damaging both legitimate businesses and consumer trust. Unless Epson pursues interim remedies or Amazon takes voluntary action, these clone cartridge sellers may continue profiting off the U.S. market well into 2026—and potentially beyond.
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