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It’s 2025 and the US Supreme Court AGAIN Clarifies Patent Exhaustion Ruling in Impression Products v. Lexmark.
You heard it first on Tonernews.com!
By Tonernews.com, Hollywood Florida USA, April 23, 2025. Today the U.S. Supreme Court issued a significant decision in Impression Products, Inc. v. Lexmark International, Inc. (see below), expanding the concept of patent exhaustion in both domestic and international markets. In a 7-1 ruling, the Court reversed a lower court’s decision, reinforcing the idea that once a patented product is sold, the patent holder cannot impose further restrictions on its use or resale.Key Points of the Decision: U.S. Sales: The Court ruled that Lexmark’s patent rights were exhausted after it sold toner cartridges under its “Return Program.” This means that Lexmark could no longer control the resale or use of these cartridges after the first sale. International Sales: The Court also extended patent exhaustion to products sold abroad. Lexmark could not sue for patent infringement when its toner cartridges, sold overseas, were imported and resold in the U.S.
Why It Matters: This decision limits patent holders’ ability to control products after sale, promoting more competitive markets by making it easier to resell goods. The ruling also applies to international sales, ensuring that once a product is sold, the patent holder cannot stop its resale across borders.
The Court’s ruling sets an important precedent for patent law, making clear that patent exhaustion applies both in the U.S. and globally. Once a product is sold, the patent holder’s control ends, fostering a freer market for resellers and consumers alike.
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