Lexmark sues counterfeit toner makers

Printer manufacturer Lexmark has said it has filed suit with the International Trade Commission in the United States against 24 companies that manufacture counterfeit toners for the company’s devices.

According to By producing the counterfeit toners, Lexmark infringes at least 15 different printer manufacturer’s patents by the various companies. The toners are used in laser printers and multifunctionals. Lexmark has requested the ITC to issue a general exclusion order banning the import and sale of the toners.

Lexmark has also filed suit against the same companies in a local Ohio court. The manufacturer is demanding from the companies, in addition to stopping production and distribution, compensation and payment of the legal costs it is now incurring.

This is not the first time Lexmark has taken legal action against counterfeit cartridge manufacturers. In 2003, it sued a company that made identification chips that made Lexmark printers mistake imitation cartridges for real. Lexmark eventually lost this case on appeal. Printer manufacturer HP has also sued manufacturers of imitation cartridges in the past.