(EMAILWIRE.COM, December 24, 2012 ) Regents Park, NSW -- Federal authorities have been asked to help block the import of “knock-off” printer toner from a manufacturer in South Korea.
Xerox Corp., which has its headquarters in Norwalk, Conn., said the solid ink sticks are being made in violation of its patents. The company wants U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents to stop shipments that it alleges are distributed by Hana Corp. of South Korea.
Xerox contends that the imports are in violation of an International Trade Commission order.
The solid ink is part of XeroxÂ’s ColorQube technology, for which it says it owns hundreds of patents. The ink, solid at room temperature, melts when it is placed in printers. Xerox manufactures solid ink in Wilsonville, Oregon, at a plant of 1,600 workers.
Xerox says that in addition to infringing on its patents, the imported ink sticks violate federal environmental rules.
“These non-Xerox inks and toners do not approach the quality and performance of genuine Xerox ink, and some products contain more heavy metal than allowed by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency guidelines,” according to a news release by Xerox North American Reseller Sales president Kurt Schmeiz.
“Xerox has long fought to protect its brand and warn customers that damage caused by third party inks and toners is not covered by any Xerox warranty,” Schmeiz stated, according to the Portland Business Journal.
Oregonian lawmakers also have urged federal authorities to take action.
“In recent years, Xerox has been harmed by a spike in imports of non-authentic solid ink-compatible products that violate both Xerox’s patents and trademarks,” wrote U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley in a letter to the secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. “These imports put American manufacturing jobs at risk and undermine U.S. investment in research and development for solid ink and solid ink printers.”
That department oversees Customs and Border Protection.
About Hot Toner:
Hot Toner (http://www.hottoner.com.au/) is an online shop for all kinds of top-quality ink and toner cartridges. Visitors can find the right cartridge for their printer and get it at a discount of up to 80%. Shoppers also can place secure orders and get live support at the website.
Hot Toner - Ink and Toner Cartridges
Customer Service
1300 88 55 68 info@hottoner.com.au