New York, NY -- According to a story on CNet.com, settlements have finally been reached in the majority of the scenarios. Originally filed during September 2009, HP made claims with the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) that two of its patents were being infringed upon by eleven different companies. The infringements were all related to the HP 02 inkjet cartridge.
Two of the companies have already settled with HP, InkPlusToner.com and Comptree Ink. Both have paid HP an undisclosed amount in damages and have promised to stop selling the compatible 02 cartridges in the U.S. HP added that it expects to reach a comparable agreement with SmartOne Services.
A fourth company, Zhuhai Gree Magneto-Electric has reached a settlement with the ITC to halt the investigation of their company provided they do not import or sell any of their compatible HP products in the United States. HP announced on Thursday the 18th that they were happy with the progress and that they remain committed to “vigorously pursuing” legal action against any company who does infringe on their intellectual property rights.
This is far from the first time that HP has filed charges against companies. Historically, HP will hit the companies with a suit for patent infringement and the result is usually a payment for damages and an agreement to stop selling the product in question.
