Epson Unveils List of Patent-Infringing Companies

Epson Unveils List of Patent-Infringing Companies

The United States International Trade Commission (ITC) has formally initiated two Section 337 investigations following complaints filed by Seiko Epson Corporation and its U.S. affiliates (Epson America, Inc. and Epson Portland Inc.). The cases have been assigned investigation numbers 337-TA-1451 and 337-TA-1452. These proceedings relate to allegations of patent infringement involving ink cartridge products.

According to official filings, Epson accuses 20 companies, primarily based in mainland China and Hong Kong, of infringing its ink cartridge patents. The company has requested that the ITC issue either a General Exclusion Order (GEO), which would block all infringing products regardless of supplier, or a Limited Exclusion Order (LEO), targeting specific entities. Epson has also requested cease and desist orders.

The ITC has assigned the investigations to two different administrative law judges: Bryan F. Moore for case 337-TA-1451 and Cameron Elliot for case 337-TA-1452. Given the substantial overlap in respondents and products, the cases may be consolidated under a single judge.

This action marks Epson’s third 337 investigation concerning ink cartridges, following cases 337-TA-565 in 2006 and 337-TA-946 in 2014.

The 20 respondent entities include:

Companies based in China or Hong Kong:
Dongguan Ocbestjet Digital Technology Co., Ltd.; Ocbestjet Printer Consumables (HK) Co., Ltd.; Tatrix International China Co., Ltd.; Luozhi Trading Co., Ltd.; Shenzhen Hongxinyuan E-Commerce Co., Ltd.; Shenzhen Kaizhen Technology Co., Ltd.; Zhuhai Zhenyang Electronics Co., Ltd.; Shangrao Shixuan E-Commerce Co., Ltd.; Zhuhai Hengyunda Electronics Co., Ltd.; Zhuhai Rongtaida Electronics Co., Ltd.; Zhuhai Shi Wei Tai Electronics Co., Ltd.; Zhuhai Yixing Electronics Co., Ltd.; Mei Jin Technology HK Co., Limited; ZhuHai MeiJiAn Trading Co., Ltd.; Shen Zhen Sailing Technology Limited; Zhuhai Shuofeng E-commerce Co., Ltd.; Zhuhai Bowang Technology Co., Ltd.; and Qiong Wang.

U.S.-based companies:
Mountain Peak, Inc. (doing business as Billiontree Technology USA, Inc. and TonerKingdom) and Straightouttaink, LP (operating as discountinkllc, einkshop2014, Inkpro, and inkprousa).

Of the 20 respondents, 18 are located in mainland China or Hong Kong, with 9 companies registered in Zhuhai alone. Only 2 entities are based in the United States.

Notably, one of the named companies from Dongguan was previously implicated in Epson’s 337-TA-946 investigation, during which goods were seized by U.S. Customs for violating a prior GEO. The same company was also previously named in a U.S. lawsuit where it received a default judgment.

According to intellectual property analysts, the named respondents in this investigation appear to be mostly small to medium-sized enterprises or online sellers, a trend that has become more common since case 337-TA-1174. Analysts note that smaller firms may lack the resources to fully defend themselves in ITC proceedings, increasing the likelihood of default judgments and the issuance of a general exclusion order.

Should the ITC grant Epson’s request for a GEO, the importation of ink cartridges covered by the asserted patents would be prohibited in the United States. This could have a significant impact on the aftermarket ink supply industry.

Related:

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• Epson Introduces New A3 Monochrome MFP LM-M5500
• Epson Launches TAA-Compliant Desktop Scanners
• Epson Reports Stronger Inkjet Sales in Q4
• Epson Introduces 3 New Additions to SureColor Printer Series

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