The USITC’s headquarters in Washington D.C.
The United States International Trade Commission (USITC) has begun its investigation based on Canon’s complaint over patent infringement in the USA, whilst former defendant Printronic has concluded its US court case with the OEM.
China Daily reported on the beginning of the USITC’s patent investigation into patent infringement of Canon’s toner cartridges, following Canon’s official complaint to the USITC last month as part of its wide-ranging case begun against a number of aftermarket companies in January.
The USITC stated that the “products at issue in this investigation are replaceable monochrome toner cartridges and replaceable colour toner cartridges for use in laser beam printers and other laser printing machines”, with Canon seeking a General Exclusion Order (GEO) to ban the products from import into and sale of the infringing products in the USA. A target date for completing the investigation will be announced within 45 days, with the USITC then issuing import and sales bans “should the complaint be approved”.
In turn, Printronic Corporation, who were originally named in the January case in the US District ourt for the Southern District of New York, have concluded their suit with Canon, the OEM reported today. This follows the earlier conclusion of the OEM’s suit against Provantage LLC last month.
Printronic, which does business under the names Printronic.com and InkSmile.com, has “stipulated to a Consent Judgement and Permanent Injunction”, which prohibits it from “making, using, selling and offering for sale” the cartridges and drum units concerned in the case.