2018. godina je bila složena i zanimljiva godina za Canon kada je riječ o kršenju patenata, a mjesec studeni nije bio iznimka.

In new legal documents viewed by The Recycler, it has been revealed that a new Seizure and Forfeiture Order has been issued, following the attempt by California Gardens Nursing Centre to import toner cartridges and components which infringe Canon’s general exclusion order Inv. No. 337-TA-918.

The USITC was informed of this infringement by the US Bureau of Customs and Border Protection, which “denied entry of the articles” into the country.

California Gardens Nursing Centre was subsequently informed that any such products they try to import, which violate the general exclusion order, will be “seized and forfeited to the United States”.

In other legal developments, following the OEM’s motion to partially terminate the portion of its well-documented ongoing USITC investigation concerning its ‘826, ‘021,’729, ‘764 and ‘765 patents, the Commission has revealed it has no opposition to such a termination. Indeed, the Commission has stated that “termination is in the public interest and consistent with the parties’ efforts to reduce the number of asserted claims.” As a result, Canon’s motion has been granted.

As part of the same investigation, Canon and the other parties involved all filed a joint motion calling to “exempt certain uncontested portions of witness statements”, as they agreed that “certain proposed claim constructions would be dispositive with respect to infringement for certain accused products.”

This motion has also been granted by the USITC, meaning that “The portions of the parties’ witness statements addressing the uncontested issues shall be segregated from the main witness statements, with separate exhibit numbers and a title indicating that they are contingent witness statements pursuant to this order.”

Finally, Canon has indicated that it is moving for “summary determination” that the Type A-I products of the respondents in the investigation (consisting of Ninestar Corporation, Ninestar Image Tech Limited, Ninestar Technology Company, Ltd., Static Control Components, Inc., Aster Graphics, Inc., Jiangxi YiboE-tech Co., Ltd., Aster Graphics Company Ltd., Print-Rite N.A., Inc., Union Technology Int’l (M.C.O.) Co. Ltd., Print-Rite Unicorn Image Products Co. Ltd., LD Products, Inc., and The Supplies Guys, Inc.) infringe its “asserted patents under claim constructions that do not require the claimed coupling member to be capable of pivoting or inclining with respect to the photosensitive drum.”

Source: https://www.therecycler.com/posts/negotiating-canons-legal-labyrinth/

Canon Inc. announced the filing of a complaint with the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) against 49 manufacturers, distributors and sellers of toner cartridges and photosensitive drum units, asserting infringement of Canon’s U.S. Patent Nos. 9,746,826; 9,836,021; 9,841,727; 9,841,728; 9,841,729; 9,857,764; 9,857,765; 9,869,960; and 9,874,846. The proposed respondents named in the ITC complaint are:
Ninestar Corporation;
Ninestar Image Tech Limited;
Ninestar Technology Company, Ltd.;
Apex Microtech Ltd.;
Static Control Components, Inc.;
Aster Graphics, Inc.;
Jiangxi Yibo E tech Co., Ltd.;
Aster Graphics Co., Ltd.;
Print-Rite Holdings Ltd.;
Print-Rite N.A., Inc.;
Union Technology Int’l (M.C.O.) Co. Ltd.;
Print-Rite Unicorn Image Products Co. Ltd.;
Kingway Image Co., Ltd.;
Ourway Image Tech Co., Ltd.;
Ourway Image Co., Ltd.;
Zhuhai Aowei Electronics Co., Ltd.;
Ourway US Inc.;
9010-8077 Quebec Inc.;
Acecom, Inc. – San Antonio;
ACM Technologies, Inc.;
Apex Excel Limited;
Arlington Industries, Inc.;
Billiontree Technology USA Inc.;
Bluedog Distribution Inc.;
CLT Computers, Inc.;
Do It Wiser LLC;
EIS Office Solutions, Inc.;
eReplacements, LLC;
Fairland, LLC;
Frontier Imaging, Inc.;
FTrade, Inc.;
Garvey’s Office Products, Inc.;
Global Cartridges;
GPC Trading Co., Limited;
Hong Kong BoZe Co., Limited;
Master Print Supplies, Inc.;
i8 International, Inc.;
Imaging Supplies Investors, LLC;
Ink Technologies Printer Supplies, LLC;
Kuhlmann Enterprises, Inc.;
LD Products, Inc.;
Linkyo Corp.;
Online Tech Stores, LLC;
Print After Print, Inc.;
Reliable Imaging Computer Products, Inc.;
The Supplies Guys, LLC;
V4INK, Inc.;
World Class Ink Supply, Inc.; and
Zinyaw LLC.

HP je prvi OEM proizvođač koji je pokrenuo tužbu u Kini. Tužio je dvije firme, distributera Speed Infotech Ltd. iz Šangaja i Jingying Technology iz Shenzhen-a koji je kršio patente na tintama.

HP je objavio da je došao do sporazuma sa četiri poljske firme koje je tužio. Složili su se da više neće prodavati ilegalne tonere i da će HP-u nadoknaditi sudske troškove.

HP je podnio tri odvojene tužbe u Hagu protiv jedne nizozemske firme. Saslušanja su u veljači.

HP je najavio tužbe u Španjolskoj protiv 11 firmi koje krše patentna prava ili prodaju klonirane tinte.

Canon je povukao tužbu protiv Aster Graphic, nakon što su se oni složili da više neće proizvoditi, prodavati ili uvoziti tonere koji krše patentna prava.

HP je tužio Ninestar Image Tech Limited, Ninestar Technology Company i Apex Microelectronics zbog kršenja patenata.

Samsung je tužio 6 reselera koji su prodavali klonove.

Carina je zaplijenila hrpu zamjenskih HP tinti koje krše GEO.

Canon je najavio tužbe u U.K. protiv European Cartridge Warehouse Limited i Printers Suppliers Technology Limited.

Canon je pokrenuo tužbu i protiv Seine Holland u Nizozemskoj, zbog kršenja patentinh prava.

Canon je tužio više od 15 firmi zbog kršenja patentata. Među ostalim Aster Graphics, Print-Rite Holding i U-tec.

Samsung je dobio tužbu u Nizozemskoj protiv: Yorcom Computers, Print About, Digital Revolution i Maxperian-a. Te firme više ne smiju prodavati tonere koji krše patentna prava.

Samsung je tužio četiri nizozemskih prodavača koji su prodavali klonove: Yorcom Computers, Print About, Digital Revolution i Maxperian. Tužio ih je zbog tonera i zbog patenta na chipove.

Nakon žalbi protiv Ninestara, ITC je objavio popis tinti koje krše Lexmarkova patentna prava i koje se više ne smiju uvoziti.