Recharger Magazine
info@rechargermag.com
1050 E. Flamingo Rd., Ste. N237
,
Las Vegas, NV, 89119
Ph: +1 (702) 438-5557
Fax: +1 (702) 873-9671
download vCard
Another industry vendor is being taken to court by an OEM over alleged infringements -- this time, patent and trademark violations. In the shadow of the Lexmark v. Static Control lawsuit, Ricoh Corp. and Ricoh Electronics Inc., along with its parent company, Ricoh Co. Ltd., filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Katun Corp., its parent corporation PNA Holdings LLC and General Plastics Industrial Company Ltd.
In a complaint filed in the U.S. District Court in New Jersey on May 30, Ricoh alleged that Katun's sale of toner and toner bottles infringe on Ricoh patents. The complaint also stated that the allegedly infringing toner bottles used by Katun are acquired from General Plastics Industrial Company Ltd. In addition, the complaint alleged that Katun infringed Ricoh trademarks and engaged in unfair competition in Katun's labeling and distribution of its toner for Ricoh machines. In a statement released by the company, Ricoh said it will seek to stop both Katun's and General Plastic's current and future patent infringement, the trademark infringement and unfair competition, and will seek to recover compensatory and enhanced damages as well as interest, costs and fees.
In response to the allegations, Katun released a statement claiming the lawsuit is “without merit” and that the company intends to “defend its position vigorously.”
“We are confident that we do not infringe any valid patent or trademark claim rightfully belonging to Ricoh and that the lawsuit is without merit,” newly named company President and CEO Dan Olszewski said. “Katun’s intellectual property portfolio has been painstakingly developed over many years and we will vigorously defend it.”
Olszewski, most recently president and CEO of Parts Now!, was named president and CEO of Katun on June 4. He replaces Larry Stroup.
