On March 3, a federal judge in Portland, Ore., denied Epson’s request to file a motion to restrict Multi Union from selling certain inkjet replacement cartridges compatible with Epson printers that allegedly infringe Epson’s dot-matrix patents.
The judge also denied Epson’s request to file a motion for summary judgment on Multi Union’s invalidity defenses. While the judge determined that certain replacement inkjet cartridges infringe Epson’s dot-matrix patents, the judge did not determine whether all accused cartridge models infringe, or whether Epson’s dot-matrix patents are valid. Those issues will be tried by a jury in September 2005.
Print-Rite Holdings Ltd. and Print-Rite Management Services Co. Ltd. were previously dismissed from the lawsuit and therefore are not impacted by this ruling.
A spokesperson for Multi Union said, “While we are disappointed with the court’s interpretation of Epson’s dot-matrix patents and the rulings that flow from it, we believe that those patents will eventually be declared either invalid or not infringed. Consequently, we will continue to aggressively defend ourselves in this matter.”
For more information visit www.multi-union.com.
