Hewlett-Packard has settled a patent dispute with a web site that
sold imported cartridges that it says infringe its patents for
inkjet printer cartridges. HP is also taking action against the
Taiwan manufacturer and other US re-sellers of the cartridges,
promoted as being compatible with popular HP models.
HP instituted patent infringement proceedings before the US
International Trade Commission (ITC) by filing a complaint against
Printer Essentials.com, as well as the maker, Microjet Technology
of Taipei, Taiwan. HP's complaint contends that the companies are
infringing six HP patents by importing or selling inkjet cartridges
manufactured by Microjet.
As part of the settlement with Printer Essentials.com, the
company agreed to immediately stop importing and selling the
disputed cartridges. Printer Essentials.com also acknowledged that
the Microjet cartridges infringe HP's patents and that the patents
are valid.
According to the settlement, Printer Essentials.com said it
began selling the cartridges because it was led to believe that
they did not infringe HP's patents.
The ITC investigation against Microjet and the other companies
is continuing.
