Epson sued in California for trespass and trade secret misappropriation

On July 27, 2009, Green Project, a environmentally dedicated entrepreneurial company that recycles ink and toner cartridges, filed a suit against Epson America Inc. and Seiko Epson Corp.

The suit alleges unfair competition, seeks a declaratory judgment for non-infringement of Epson's patents, accuses the Japanese-headquartered conglomerate of trade secret misappropriation and trespass, and denies Epson's allegation of patent infringement.

Green Project from Los Angeles was added on June 18 to a lawsuit filed by Epson earlier this year. Epson's suit is against a group of suppliers that make "compatible" after-market inkjet cartridges that work with Epson printers, and who also recycle Epson's cartridges. Green Project does not make compatibles; it only recycles original inkjet cartridges.

Joseph Wu, president of Green Project, explained, "We are puzzled by Epson's corporate policy of punishing recyclers of used inkjet cartridges, companies that provide critically needed environmental benefits for everyone."

The counter-suit against Epson is being pursued by Green Project not only to gain relief from the patent infringement case against the defendants, but also to seek damages against Epson and one of its employees, who is accused of surreptitiously gaining access to Green Project's premises and to the company's competitive business information by pretending to be a potential customer.

Source: www.greenprojectinc.com

Key words: Epson, trial, Green Project, remanufacturer, inkjet