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The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) has decided not to review a ruling from an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) in a case involving the importation of counterfeit Epson ink cartridges.
Here’s a detailed look at the case:
Epson America, Epson Portland, and Seiko Epson Corporation filed a complaint accusing several companies of importing ink cartridges that infringe on five of Epson’s patents, all related to cartridge design. This case, dubbed Certain Ink Cartridges and Components Thereof II, centered around the alleged patent violations.
Respondents’ Default:
A total of eleven companies named in the investigation failed to respond to Epson’s allegations or participate in the legal process. These companies are:
- Tatrix International
- Luozhi Trading
- Zhuhai Zhenyang Electronics
- Zhuhai Hengyunda Electronics
- Zhuhai Rongtaida Electronics
- Zhuhai Shi Wei Tai Electronics
- Zhuhai Yixing Electronics
- Zhuhai Bowang Technology
- Mei Jin Technology
- Mountain Peak
- Straightouttaink
Default Judgment:
As a result of these companies failing to respond to the complaint or comply with a show-cause order issued in September 2025, the ALJ ruled them in default. The USITC has now confirmed that it will not challenge or overturn this decision, effectively endorsing the ALJ’s ruling that these companies did not engage with the investigation.
Implications of Default:
With the default ruling in place, Epson’s claims of patent infringement are expected to be accepted without any defense from the accused companies. This opens the door for possible exclusion orders, meaning these companies could be blocked from importing their counterfeit products into the U.S. market.
Timeline:
- The ALJ’s initial decision was issued before November 17, 2025. On November 17, 2025, the USITC voted to uphold the defaults, opting not to review the ALJ’s ruling.
In short, the USITC has ruled that these companies failed to address serious patent infringement charges from Epson, and as a result, they now face sanctions that will prevent their products from entering the U.S. market.
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