Epson Files Three New Lawsuits Against Internet Resellers of Patent Infringing Ink Cartridges

Long Beach, CA (March 6, 2017) – Epson today announced that Epson America, Inc., Epson Portland, Inc., and Seiko Epson Corp. filed three patent infringement complaints on March 3, 2017 in the U.S. District Court in Portland, Ore. against Gaea Supplies Corp.; OW Supplies Corp and Smart and Eazy Corp; and Ta Trix USA Inc. The complaints allege infringement of claims from U.S. Patent 6,502,917 and U.S. Patent 8,794,749. These specific patent claims were already adjudicated as valid and enforceable in two well publicized actions filed with the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC), resulting in General Exclusion Orders that bar importation of all newly built and remanufactured cartridges that infringe the claims.

The lawsuits filed today against merchants selling on the Amazon Marketplace supplement four lawsuits filed in late 2016, which similarly allege extensive sales of patent infringing cartridges and seek permanent injunctions against further infringements and monetary damages.

“As part of a comprehensive enforcement program, Epson continues to file lawsuits against internet resellers who persist in selling infringing cartridges despite widespread publicity of the General Exclusion Orders and Epson’s enforcement activities,” said Jilana Miller, Epson’s associate general counsel. “We are seeing considerable voluntary compliance and strongly suggest that resellers who continue to sell compatible and remanufactured cartridges on internet marketplaces seek patent counsel to ensure they are not infringing Epson’s patents and violating the General Exclusion Orders.”

Epson maintains a Web site at itc.epson.com to provide U.S. importers and distributors with updated information about the ITC action and related U.S. District Court lawsuits. The site also includes a list of ITC Seizure and Forfeiture Orders and helpful information about the legal requirements for refilled or remanufactured cartridges.

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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 73,000 employees in 91 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).