Epson America Inc. announced that it filed a complaint for trademark infringement and a request for a temporary restraining order and seizure against 26 Amazon marketplace sellers. Filed by Epson America, Inc. and Seiko Epson Corp. in the U.S. District Court in Los Angeles, the complaint alleged that the defendants were selling numerous models of counterfeit Epson branded ink cartridges to unsuspecting consumers.
On Aug. 31, U.S. District Court Judge Andre Birotte Jr. entered a temporary restraining order that prohibited further counterfeit sales and ordered Amazon to freeze the defendants’ accounts and the defendants’ inventories held in Amazon’s fulfillment centers. On Sept.18, Judge Birotte granted Epson’s request for a preliminary injunction that continues prohibitions against counterfeiting and ordered Amazon to turn over proceeds of the counterfeiting and inventory of cartridges to Epson’s attorney to be held in trust until the lawsuit is resolved.
“Epson has a long history of vigorous and swift legal action when necessary to protect the company, consumers and legitimate resellers from unfair competition,” said Jilana Miller, assistant general counsel, Epson America, Inc. “We are pleased that the Court recognized the need for immediate and decisive action to stop these defendants from defrauding customers and appreciate Amazon’s quick action in response to the Court order. These illegal sales violate Amazon’s policies for resellers that sell on the Amazon marketplace and use its sales fulfillment services. We will continue to work closely with Amazon and other marketplace providers to take whatever actions are necessary to detect and stop fraudulent sales.”
This lawsuit is similar to a lawsuit filed by Epson in 2016 that also stopped counterfeit ink cartridge sales on the Amazon marketplace by a ring of counterfeiters operating as Inksytem LLC. The Inksystem case resulted in a judgment of $12 million in Epson’s favor against 16 related companies and eight individuals, who are now attempting to appeal the judgment.
Epson has continuously made huge investments in R&D and manufacturing in the U.S. and worldwide to produce high quality, innovative printers and cartridges. The recent actions are part of Epson’s worldwide efforts to protect the company from unfair competition of all types and assure that its customers receive the high-quality products they expect.
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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, watches 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 76,000 employees in 87 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.
