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Printer OEMs Defend Supplies Investment with Legal CloutProduct Type: Market Research ReportPublished by: InfoTrends/CAP Ventures Published: October 2007 Product Code: R290-367 Description In the past year, many major printer manufacturers have been aggressively protecting their intellectual
property, particularly when it comes to supplies. This protection has taken many different forms, ranging
from an official letter to the filing a lawsuit in Court. There have also been several instances of printer
OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) sending formal letters to remind aftermarket companies that
their products could be infringing patents. HP took this route with several companies, including Cartridge
World, OfficeMax, Walgreens, and InkCycle.Regardless of the method, the point is the same. Printer manufacturers are making it clear that while they understand that there will be competition for supplies sales, companies offering aftermarket or compatible supplies cannot infringe any of their patents in selling those supplies. In the end, the printer manufacturers have largely been successful in their pursuits. Aftermarket companies that were found to be infringing patents have been ordered to pay settlements and/or stop selling the infringing product in a particular area. Some feel that this success on the part of the OEMs is largely due to the deep pockets that these companies have to fight legal battles. In contrast, most aftermarket companies are much smaller and have fewer resources. Table of Contents
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