Static Control Snaps Back at Aster with Suit

Components remanufacturer Static Control has sued cartridge manufacturer Aster Graphics for patent infringement on 17 July.

Static Control accused Aster Graphics of infringement of two patents, 671,742 B2 (’742) and 9,599,949 B2 (’949), relating to dongle gear designs used in Various Canon and HP Laser Cartridges.

Initially, Static Control sent a letter to Aster Graphics on June 29, notifying the company of infringement of two US patents, name the ‘742 and ‘949. With the hope of finding a solution outside of the courts, the iconic parts manufacturer demanded Aster to “cease all allegedly infringing activity and confirm compliance with Static’s demands.”

Aster Graphics chose to disregard the warning. On July 7, RT Media reported Aster Graphics filed a complaint against Static Control for declaratory relief of patent non-infringement. In response Static Control filed their suit in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.

“We made all the necessary motions to avoid a lawsuit,” said Skip London, Static Control’s General Counsel, “but Aster’s decision to continue infringing our IP left us no other choice but to take legal action.”