Crackdown on dodgy inkjet cartridges
They are also looking at imported non-genuine cartridges being sold as compatible with Epson printers to see if they violate any of Epson’s patents. Non-genuine cartridges are generally sold for a fraction of the price of the brand names.
The move is part of a global blitz on suppliers passing off imitation ink cartridges and infringing patents, which is costing the mainstream suppliers millions.
According to Mike Pleasants, director of marketing communications Epson Australia, the company is determined to protect its intellectual property and protect customers from being fooled. “Epson will not hesitate to take legal action against any reseller if they are found to have sold counterfeit Epson inkjet cartridges to customers,” he said. “We are referring non genuine cartridges for investigation for possible patent infringement similar to US actions.”
The move comes as part of a global push from Epson to enforce a zero tolerance on counterfeit copies and patent infringements of ink and cartridge technology used in Epson inkjet printers. In the U.S. District Court in Oregon global print suppliers German-based Artech, Ink Lab of Hong Kong, InkTec of Korea, and US-based Inkjetwarehouse.com and Rhinotek Computer Products, all acknowledged the validity and infringement of at least 10 Epson patents. Each company agreed to stop importing infringing cartridges for Epson desktop inkjet printers.
Pleasants strongly defends Epson’s right to take action against suppliers. "Epson cannot sit back and watch while these pirates steal its intellectual property for their personal gain and in some cases defraud customers by passing their products off as genuine Epson inks and cartridges,” Pleasants said.
Among other security measures Epson is using a colour-shifting label on its consumable products. The colour shifting technology, which will gradually replace the previous hologram anti-counterfeit labels, is used in various industries including the US and Chinese monetary systems.
On Epson ink cartridges packaging it allows users to determine the authenticity of the cartridge by shifting between bronze and green (colours reserved specifically for Epson's use) depending on which angle it is viewed.
Among other security measures Epson is using a colour-shifting label on its consumable products. The colour shifting technology, which will gradually replace the previous hologram anti-counterfeit labels, is used in various industries including the US and Chinese monetary systems.