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Epson closer to killing 3rd-party ink market
US legal decision means likely ban on non-official inks
The
battle for the very future of the third-party printer ink market that
we looked at previously has moved closer to its denouement after the US
International Trade Commission (ITC) decided a crucial legal issue in
favour of Seiko Epson .ITC judge Paul J. Luckern concluded that a group
of 24 companies selling Epson-compatible ink cartridges were in
violation of the Japanese firm’s patents on several counts and
recommended that imports of the non-branded ink to the US be stopped.No more cheap ink?
The
ruling is the latest step in an ongoing legal process that is likely to
force companies that sell ink cartridges for popular brand-name
printers to leave that market to the printer makers.Inkjet printers are
generally sold at low cost, leaving manufacturers to profit from ink
sales over the life of the printer. Until now, the high cost of
‘official’ ink has led most savvy users to try DIY refill kits or
third-party cartridges. Despite ominous warnings that such inks can
damage printers or will result in low-grade prints, shoppers have
tended to vote with their feet.Elizabeth Leung, an Epson director,
reacted to the decision: “We are gratified that Judge Luckern upheld
the validity and enforceability of Epson’s ink cartridge patents. Epson
has invested continuously in R&D and manufacturing to produce high
quality, innovative ink cartridges.”If the ITC’s final verdict and
recommendations in July agree with the judge, it seems certain to set a
precedent that will have far-reaching implications for the price of
home printing, whatever the country.
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