TOKYO,Kao Corp.said Monday it has reached a
settlement with an Eastman Kodak Co. affiliate in the U.S. over an alleged
patent infringement on toner used in xerography.
Kao decided to withdraw the lawsuit after Kodak and its affiliated companies,
including NexPress Solutions Inc. of New York, agreed to comply with the
Japanese lifestyle products maker’s licensing agreement, the company said in a
statement.
An official at the Japanese subsidiary of Eastman Kodak said the local unit
has yet to confirm the settlement.
Kao filed the patent infringement lawsuit in the U.S. in May 2004, requesting
an injunction and damages for violating Kao’s xerography toner patent.
Kao, which is Japan’s largest manufacturer of home-use personal care and
cleansing products, has diversified into chemicals. In 1973, the company started
research and development work on polyester binders for toners used for
xerography and currently holds more than 200 patents globally in this field, Kao
said.
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