Information for Importers and Resellers
The U.S. ITC Action Relating to Cartridges for Epson Printers
The Legal Requirements For Importing Ink Cartridges For Epson Desktop Printers Were Changed Drastically By ITC Orders Issued October 19, 2007.
Important Update: On January 13, 2009 the US Court of Appeals affirmed the ITC Final Determination and General Exclusion Order that bars imports and distribution of infringing new and refilled cartridges. See the ITC tab for a copy of the Judgment.
Important Update: On April 17, 2009 ITC Judge Luckern ruled that Ninestar, Mipo and Cana-Pacific violated the ITC orders and recommended large penalties.
On October 19, 2007 the U.S. International Trade Commission ("ITC") issued a Final Determination that confirmed that all of the more than 750 accused cartridges for Epson inkjet printers infringe one or more of eleven Epson patents. The ITC issued a General Exclusion Order prohibiting all importers from importing infringing cartridges and Cease and Desist Orders that prohibit the named respondents from selling cartridges imported before the ITC Order. U.S. Customs and the ITC are now enforcing these Orders because they were not modified by President Bush during the sixty day Presidential Review Period.
In addition to the ITC actions, Epson filed U.S. District Court lawsuits against the same twenty-four companies named in the ITC action and three additional lawsuits against resellers that sold infringing cartridges.
Epson has created this website to assure that importers and resellers are not caught unaware of the regulations that took effect due to the ITC Orders.