Cartridge Supplier Sues Static Control

On July 7, Aster Graphics, a toner cartridge supplier filed a complaint against remanufacturers Static Control for declaratory relief of patent non-infringement.

The patents were originally owned by Zhuhai Seine Technology Co., Ltd and are listed as U.S. Patent Nos. 9,671,742 B2 (the “742 patent”) and 9,599,949 (the “949 patent”).

Static Control previously sent a letter on 29 June 2017, identifying patents ‘742 and ‘949 and accused Aster of patent infringement. The famous remanufacturer demanded Aster to “cease all allegedly infringing activity and confirm compliance with statics demands”.

In its complaints, SCC warned Aster that it will pursue further legal actions, had Aster not provide a formal response by June 10, 2017.  The action had in turn prompted Aster Graphics Inc. to file the lawsuit.

Currently, whether Asters products infringe the two patents remains controversial. Moreover, Aster is seeking a declaratory judgement of non-infringement and demanding a trial by jury on all issues in the US District Court Central District of California.