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.21 May 2001
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.