WASHINGTON, Sept 23 (Reuters) - Oki Data Corp has infringed one Ricoh Co printer patent, an administrative law judge for the International Trade Commission ruled in an initial determination notice dated Thursday.
A copy of the document was obtained by Reuters.
The decision is subject to review by the entire commission, with a target date in January.
According to ITC procedure, the judge may later recommend that Oki Data printers using the patented technology be ordered barred from importation into the United States.
In its complaint, Ricoh had accused Oki Data of infringing five patents to make printers and multifunction printers that also scan documents.
The dispute arose from a patent license agreement which expired and which the companies have been unable to renegotiate.
Ricoh filed its complaint with the ITC in September 2009, as well as two related lawsuits in district court in Delaware.
Companies often file with the ITC to win an import ban on devices made with infringing technology and in district court to ask for damages.
(Reporting by Diane Bartz; Editing by Richard Chang) Keywords: RICOH OKIDATA/PATENT (Diane.Bartz@ThomsonReuters.com; +1 202 898 8313) COPYRIGHT Copyright Thomson Reuters 2010. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of Reuters News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters.
A copy of the document was obtained by Reuters.
The decision is subject to review by the entire commission, with a target date in January.
According to ITC procedure, the judge may later recommend that Oki Data printers using the patented technology be ordered barred from importation into the United States.
In its complaint, Ricoh had accused Oki Data of infringing five patents to make printers and multifunction printers that also scan documents.
The dispute arose from a patent license agreement which expired and which the companies have been unable to renegotiate.
Ricoh filed its complaint with the ITC in September 2009, as well as two related lawsuits in district court in Delaware.
Companies often file with the ITC to win an import ban on devices made with infringing technology and in district court to ask for damages.
(Reporting by Diane Bartz; Editing by Richard Chang) Keywords: RICOH OKIDATA/PATENT (Diane.Bartz@ThomsonReuters.com; +1 202 898 8313) COPYRIGHT Copyright Thomson Reuters 2010. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of Reuters News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters.