Monday, April 29, 2024
Top News Stories of the Year 2018
January
Steve Weedon, the previous Global CEO of Cartridge World, has moved to Zhuhai, China to head up strategic development with Utec, a key company owned by Print-Rite from January 1, 2018. He is responsible for directing a new global approach in the market.
February
China-based Dinglong Group has made a key position adjustment at its subsidiary, Zhuhai Mito Color Imaging Co., Ltd (Mito). Mary Ouyang, the founding CEO of Mito, has been appointed as Vice President of the Dinglong Group in charge of corporate culture initiatives and brand promotion for the print consumables sector.
March
CANON COMES AFTER THE AFTERMARKET… AGAIN
Canon is suing at least 15 companies in the United States. The imaging giant and original equipment manufacturer (OEM) believes the sale and distribution of Aftermarket cartridge products infringe its patents. Canon is claiming seven patents it filed a number of years ago, and as early as 2006, in the U.S. have now been granted in the last few months. The asserted U.S. patents are 9,746,826, 9,836,021, 9,841,727, 9,841,728, 9,857,765, 9,869,960, and 9,874,846.
April
Dell is exiting the printer business. As a result of the continued decline of the printing industry, the company decided to transit its customers from Dell-branded laser printers and accessories to a partner-led imaging portfolio. They will sell other-branded printers instead.
NINESTAR TO INVEST US$1.4 BILLION IN SMART LASER PRINTER PARK
Ninestar has signed an agreement with the Administrative Committee of Gaolan Port Economic Zone to commence a high-tech, intelligent manufacturing plant for laser printers in Zhuhai. The company is investing US$1.4 billion in the project which is expected to produce four million printers annually values at about US$3.2 billion.
May
ONE CANON GEAR LAWSUIT RESPONDENT SPEAKS OUT
Christian Pepper—President of LD Products Channel Partner Division—talks to David Gibbons about the Canon dongle gear case in the USA impacting his company and scores of others.
June
REMAN OR NEW BUILD, WHICH WILL YOU CHOOSE?
The reman vs new build debate heats up. “New Builds” may be innovative, non-infringing and no longer a “copycat” product, but some are issuing warnings and stating only remanufactured products are safe.
July
SGT CLAIMS TONER TECHNOLOGY BREAKTHROUGH
Following its 2017 investment in Wuhan Pointrole Technology Co., Suzhou Goldengreen Technologies has now successfully developed a series of high-quality toner products suitable for use in HP printers.
CANON ADMITS DONGLE GEAR WORKAROUND DOES NOT INFRINGE
Some aftermarket companies have already launched solutions for the dongle gear alleging them to be “patent-safe” which means they will not infringe Canon’ recently acquired patents. The aftermarket is moving on.
August
CHINA INCLUDES US-MADE PRINTERS IN TARIFF RETALIATION
On August 3, 2018, the China Customs Tariff Commission (CCTC) of the State Council imposed tariffs on certain imports (second batch) originating in the United States. Duties will be imposed on 5,207 imported items that originated in the United States, which are estimated to be worth approximately $60 billion.
September
26 AMAZON MARKETPLACE SELLERS SUED
Epson has filed a complaint for trademark infringement and a request for a Temporary Restraining Order and Seizure against twenty-six Amazon marketplace sellers. Filed by Epson America, Inc. and Seiko Epson Corp. in the U.S. District Court in Los Angeles, the Complaint alleged that the defendants were selling numerous models of counterfeit Epson branded ink cartridges to unsuspecting consumers.
October
TWO ACQUISITIONS IN ONE DAY
The Japanese company Ricoh says it will be acquiring two companies for undisclosed sums. One is LAC Corporation, of Tokyo, Japan, the other one is MakeLeaps, Inc. also of Tokyo, Japan.
CET STARTS MANUFACTURING OF PULVERIZED TONERS
In cooperation with Japanese-based Mitsubishi Chemical-High-Technica, the Chinese-based CET Group officially enters into the business of pulverized toner manufacturing for printers and copiers.
November
A REVIEW OF REMOVAL REQUESTS ON AMAZON BY CANON
From September 2018, Canon has been continuously filing a Report Infringement Form with Amazon. Canon requested Amazon to remove the products selling by different companies that are infringing Canon’s patent
December
The German company has been saved via asset acquisition and investment from the Senior team at Environmental Business Products Ltd, allowing OCP to continue trading.
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