OEM resolves infringement lawsuit against Brazilian ink cartridge distributor, describing settlement as “amicable”.
Bloomberg Businessweek reports that HP has settled with Rio Branco Ltda., a Brazilian distributor of Maxprint ink cartridges after the OEM accused the company in April 2011 of importing and selling HP-compatible ink cartridges that infringed on HP patents.
As part of the settlement, Maxprint acknowledged that the HP patents involved “are valid and enforceable” and agreed to stop selling the ink cartridges in Brazil and any other countries in which Maxprint cartridges are sold, although the company is allowed to sell any of its remaining inventory until 1 December. Maxprint will also be ordered to reimburse an undisclosed amount of HP’s litigation costs.
It was also reported that HP has stated it has settled with several other companies regarding the sale of ink cartridges in Brazil, including Canal Verde, Edeltec and Suprijit, all of whom have reportedly agreed that HP’s patents are valid and enforceable and would cease to offer or sell any products affected by the patents in Brazil.
HP is yet to comment at the time of publication.
The Recycler reported in May that HP previously settled with a further Brazilian company, Multilaser, over a near-identical patent infringement case regarding the sale of ink cartridges in the country, with Multilaser agreeing to stop selling the disputed cartridges.