Consumables
Q.I. PRESS CONTROLS OFFICIAL STATEMENT REGARDING QUAD/TECH PATENT INFRINGEMENT ACTION IN THE U.S.
Friday 26. March 2010 - Q.I. Press Controls (QIPC) is a highly-innovative partner within the printing industry. QIPC strives for perfection in the printing processes.
For the printing industry, this means constant innovation and the ability to produce a higher quality of product, in a shorter time frame, and in a more cost effective manner. With the difficulties the printing industry is facing currently, this innovation and efficiency is even more important, because it results in a substantial savings on raw materials. In that way, QIPC seeks to be an industry leader in innovation, efficiency, and meeting customer needs. QIPC appreciates the same efforts by all of its competitors.
In June 2009, Quad/Tech sued QIPC based on allegations that QIPCs recently developed “markless” register control system, displayed at DRUPA in 2008, infringes a Quad/Tech United States patent (U.S. Patent Number 5,412,577). The patent at issue, which discloses a registration-control system that does not rely on registration marks to perform color-to-color registration, will expire in approximately two years. As of the date of the lawsuit, Quad/Tech had not implemented the patent into a commercially available color-to-color registration system that operates without registration marks.
QIPC responded to Quad/Techs lawsuit by stating in its legal filings that the products sold or offered for sale by QIPC in the United States do not infringe the patent at issue. QIPC also stated that it does not sell or offer for sale a “markless” register control system in the United States, and the register control systems QIPC do offer for sale in the United States cannot operate in a “markless” manner. QIPC has asked the Court to find for QIPC and award QIPC the costs of defending itself.
On some occasions, Quad/Tech has used its website to publicize the case. Recently Quad/Tech publicized its request to the Court for permission to expand its infringement claims to include the QIPC products IRS (registration-control system working from registration marks) and IDS (closed loop color control system, not a registration-control system) that have been in the marketplace for many years. The Court has not ruled on that request, and QIPC intends to oppose that request.
QIPC intends to vigorously defend itself against Quad/Techs claims and vindicate itself in Court. Consistent with our business methodology, QIPC will handle all allegations in the courtroom and in a professional manner. We request that all members of our industry patiently await the Courts decision on all issues.