Ricoh had accused OKI of infringing three patents to make printers and MFPs, after an expired patent licence agreement.
In legal documents, Ricoh said that OKI’s current line-up of the C3530n, C5800, C3400, C830, C710 and B2200 models and their component parts infringe Ricoh’s patents. The three patents concern: controlling a configuration of a printer; fax machine power saving function and image forming apparatus.
In 2001, Ricoh and OKI entered into a patent licence agreement, the details of which are confidential, explains the suit.
It added: “In 2006, the agreement expired and Ricoh Company, Ltd and OKI Data Corporation began negotiating for the renewal of that agreement. Because the parties could not reach an agreement on the terms for renewal of that agreement, the negotiations ceased in 2009.”
The lawsuit is now awaiting trail before a jury.
Ricoh filed the suit in September 2009, and according to Reuters, it also filed a complaint with the International Trade Commission.
Both companies have been contacted for comment.