[Anonymous]

Epson targets counterfeit cartridges in Australia and NZ
Epson
Australia is following through strongly on Epson’s global push to deter
counterfeit copies and patent infringements of the ink and cartridge
technology used in Epson inkjet printers.In Australia and New Zealand
Epson employs private investigators to trace sales of possible
counterfeit cartridges and help prosecute offenders. Epson is also
looking at imported non-genuine cartridges being sold as compatible
with Epson printers to see if they violate any of Epson’s patents. This
follows Epson’s successful actions on patent infringements
internationally.In the new series of international actions, Epson has
entered settlement agreements in a patent infringement action pending
with the U.S. International Trade Commission and similar lawsuits
pending in the U.S. District Court in Oregon, with five suppliers of
aftermarket printer supplies and their related companies.Among the
settling defendants are three major manufacturers of aftermarket
printer supplies: Artech GMBH of Germany, Ink Lab Co. Ltd. of Hong
Kong, and InkTec Co. Ltd. of Korea, as well as two major U.S.
distributors of aftermarket printer supplies: Inkjetwarehouse.com Inc.
of Connecticut, and Rhinotek Computer Products Inc. of California.As
part of the District Court settlements and proposed ITC consent orders,
each of the defendants has acknowledged the validity and infringement
of at least 10 Epson patents and agreed to cease importing a wide range
of infringing cartridges for Epson desktop inkjet printers.According to
Epson, it does not and never has licensed third party companies to make
and sell ink or cartridges for Epson printers.In Australia, Epson will
not hesitate to take legal action against any reseller if they are
found to have sold counterfeit Epson inkjet cartridges to customers.
Similarly, Epson is referring non-genuine cartridges for investigation
for possible patent infringement similar to US actions.Having invested
heavily over many years in creating inks and cartridges that deliver
vibrant and long lasting photographic and fine art prints, as well as
outstanding everyday printing jobs, Epson is now investing considerable
resources in protecting its intellectual property.According to Epson,
it cannot sit back and watch while these pirates steal its intellectual
property for their personal gain and in some cases defraud customers by
passing their products off as genuine Epson inks and cartridges.

[Author]

March 1, 2007 at 11:15 AM