Polish remanufacturer releases statement denying that it has infringed HP’s patents.
As reported by The Recycler last week, HP recently signed an agreement with two Polish remanufacturers, Action SA and AB SA, with both companies agreeing to sell certain new HP cartridges that the OEM claimed were infringing its inkjet patents. It was also reported that HP has taken up another lawsuit with Polish remanufacturer Black Point SA regarding the same issue.
In response to HP’s allegations, Piotr Kolbusz, CEO of Black Point SA, has released a statement asserting that the company has not infringed HP’s patents, noting that “In its 25 year history, Black Point SA has always complied thoroughly with patent laws and the rules of fair competition. Our company does not sell or store in its depository any products which would infringe the patent laws of any printer producer. This state of affairs has been confirmed by an inspection at the site, conducted by a court executive officer and a HP representative in June 2012. We reject the accusations raised by HP in the trial currently underway.”
However, Kolbusz adds that the company has “accepted HP’s proposal of an amicable solution to the litigation, and we intend to work towards a settlement,” emphasising that the company “acknowledges the importance of patent laws and expresses its support towards printer producers’ pursuits in this field.”
It was also claimed by Kolbusz that “HP has for years tolerated unacceptable practices carried out by its smaller and major distributors, namely marketing patent-infringing products made in the Far East. This acceptance has led to a significant part of the printing materials market being claimed by these products.
Kolbusz concludes that “Black Point SA’s activity consists mainly of regenerating pre-used ink printer cartridges, which does not infringe patent laws, but actually has a positive impact on the environment through the recycling of millions of used cartridges. Thanks to our practices, we are able to supply our trade partners, and eventually customers, with safe products from a legal and environmental point of view.”