USITC Institutes 337 Investigation on Aftermarket Firms

The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) will institute section 337 investigation of certain ink cartridges and components designed for use with certain Epson inkjet printers.

The investigation is a reaction after Epson requested a general exclusion order or a limited exclusion order and cease and desist orders. The USITC has identified the following as respondents in this investigation:

• Zhuhai Nano Digital Technology Co., Ltd., of Zhuhai, Guangdong, China; Nano Business & Technology, Inc., d/b/a
• Nano Digital, d/b/a Nano Ink Spot, d/b/a Dinsink, of Lake Oswego, OR;
• Zhuhai National Resources & Jingjie Imaging Products Co., Ltd., d/b/a Ink-Tank, of Zhuhai, Guangdong, China;
• Huebon Co., Ltd., of Sheung Wan, Hong Kong;
• Chancen Co., Ltd., of Sheung Wan, Hong Kong;
• Zhuhai Rich Imaging Technology Co., Ltd., of Zhuhai, Guangdong, China;
• Shanghai Orink Infotech International Co., Ltd., of Shanghai, China;
• Orink Infotech International Co., Ltd., of Causewat Bay, Hong Kong;
• Zinyaw LLC d/b/a TonerPirate.com of Houston, TX;
• Yotat Group Co., Ltd., of Kowloon, Hong Kong;
• Yotat (Zhuhai) Technology Co., Ltd., of Xiangzhou, Zhuhai, China;
• Ourway Image Co., Ltd., of Xiangzhou, Zhuhai, China;
• Kingway Image Co., Ltd., of Zhuhai, China;
• Zhuhai Chinamate Technology Co., Ltd., of Xiangzhou, Zhuhai, China;
• InkPro2day, LLC, of Los Angeles, CA;
• Dongguan OcBestjet Printer Consumables Co., Ltd., of Dongguan, China;
• OcBestjet Printer Consumables (HK) Co., Ltd., of Hong Kong;
• Aomya Printer Consumables (Zhuhai) Co., Ltd., of Xiangzhou, Zhuhai, Guangdong, China;
• Zhuhai Richeng Development Co., Ltd., d/b/a Richeng Technology, of Jida, Zhuhai, China.

On December 23, 2014, Epson Portland Inc. of Hillsboro, OR, Epson America, Inc., of Long Beach in California, and Seiko Epson Corporation of Nagano in Japan filed a complaint to the USITC.  The complaint alleges 19 aftermarket companies have violated section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 in the importation into the United States and sale of certain ink cartridges and components thereof that infringe Epson’s 5 U.S. patents: 8,366,233, 8,454,116, 8,794,749, 8,801,163 and 8,882,513.

According to the USITC, they have not made any decision on the merits of the case after instituting the investigation (337-TA-946).  The USITC’s Chief Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) will assign the case to one of the USITC’s ALJ, who will schedule and hold an evidentiary hearing.  The ALJ will make an initial determination to confirm whether there is a violation of section 337 and the Commission will review that initial determination.

The USITC claims they will set a target date for completing the investigation within 45 days after institution of the investigation.  USITC remedial orders in section 337 cases are effective when issued and become final 60 days after issuance unless disapproved for policy reasons by the U.S. Trade Representative within that 60-day period.

Ourway Image Co., Ltd., one of the defendants in the complaint, told Recycling Times Media it “will initiate a proactive communication with ITC (USITC) and Epson about related issue.”

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