Epson Files Lawsuit in Nevada to Stop Ink Cartridge Counterfeiting

Thousands of Counterfeit Ink Cartridges Seized in Raid Supported by U.S. Marshalls

LONG BEACH, Calif. – Sept. 23, 2016 – Epson America, Inc. today announced that it filed a complaint for trademark infringement and a Request for a Temporary Restraining Order and Seizure against InkSystem LLC and related companies, including AF LLC, ART LLC, Lucky Print LLC, Inkredible LLC LLC, and three individuals. Filed by Epson America, Inc. and Seiko Epson Corp., the Complaint alleged that the companies were manufacturing, distributing and selling counterfeit Epson branded ink cartridges.

On Sept. 13, 2016, U.S. District Court Judge Robert C. Jones ordered a Temporary Restraining Order and seizure of unauthorized products, labels, and equipment as well as business records from defendants’ business premises in and around Reno, Nevada. A search and seizure was conducted by Epson with the U.S. Marshals of three locations in the Reno area on Sept. 17, 2016. Thereafter, Epson filed a report with the Court that described the defendants’ counterfeiting operations and the seizure of more than 14,000 counterfeit ink cartridges and components sufficient to make many thousands more counterfeits. On Sept. 21, 2016, Judge Jones granted Epson’s request for a Preliminary Injunction against trademark infringement and lifted the seal on the Court documents.

“Epson has a long history of vigorous legal action to protect the company, consumers and legitimate resellers from unfair competition, Jilana Miller, Epson’s associate general counsel, explained. “We are pleased that the Court recognized the need for quick and decisive action to stop these defendants from defrauding customers by converting third party remanufactured and grey market cartridges into counterfeit Epson cartridges. We will continue to take whatever action is necessary to protect Epson and the printer supply industry from this type of unfair competition.”

Epson has made continuous worldwide investments in R&D and large investments in manufacturing in the U.S. to produce high quality, innovative printers and cartridges. The recent actions are part of Epson’s worldwide efforts to protect the company and its customers from unfair competition of all types.

About Epson
Epson is a global technology leader dedicated to connecting people, things and information with its original efficient, compact and precision technologies. With a lineup that ranges from inkjet printers and digital printing systems to 3LCD projectors, smart glasses, sensing systems and industrial robots, the company is focused on driving innovations and exceeding customer expectations in inkjet, visual communications, wearables and robotics.

Led by the Japan-based Seiko Epson Corporation, the Epson Group comprises more than 67,000 employees in 90 companies around the world, and is proud of its contributions to the communities in which it operates and its ongoing efforts to reduce environmental impacts.

Epson America, Inc., based in Long Beach, Calif., is Epson’s regional headquarters for the U.S., Canada, and Latin America. To learn more about Epson, please visit: epson.com. You may also connect with Epson America on Facebook (facebook.com/Epson), Twitter (twitter.com/EpsonAmerica), YouTube (youtube.com/EpsonAmerica), and Instagram (instagram.com/EpsonAmerica).