One of the largest importers of ?Epson-compatible? inkjet printer cartridges has agreed to pay ?substantial? damages to Epson ? and to stop selling the cartridges – after alleged patent violation.
Environmental Business Products Limited sells ?remanufactured? and ?compatible? inkjet cartridges under the Ink Again brand to many high-street shops. These include WH Smith, Argos, Dixons, Ryman the stationers and PC World, according to the company?s website.
Epson brought legal action against the London-based company in the High Court for what it claimed was ?infringement of a number of patents and registered designs?.
Speaking after reaching an out-of-court settlement, Environmental Business Products Limited?s managing director Pat Stead said: ?We have ceased importing and supplying Epson-compatible cartridges because we are not confident of finding Epson compatibles that do not infringe one or more of Seiko Epson?s patents or registered designs.?
Though details are confidential, the settlement includes what is described as a ?substantial? damages to Epson along with legal costs.
A spokesman for Epson UK declined to elaborate on details of the settlement.
Environmental Business Products Limited also makes cartridges compatible with other well-known makes of printer.
Epson ? maker of such printers as the Stylus Photo R800 (pictured) ? says it will continue to enforce its ?intellectual property? rights.
