MIS Associates, Inc
November 7, 2007
NEWS RELEASE
International Trade Commission Rules on behalf of Epson
MIS Associates, Inc. (www.inksupply.com) was recently provided a copy of a ruling issued by the United States (ITC) International Trade Commission in Washington DC, (http://www.usitc.gov/). This commission is
an independent, quasi-judicial Federal agency with broad investigative responsibilities on matters of trade. The agency investigates the effects of dumped and subsidized imports on domestic industries and conducts global safeguard investigations. The Commission also adjudicates cases involving alleged infringement by imports of intellectual property rights. Through such proceedings, the agency facilitates a rules-based international trading system. The Commission also serves as a Federal resource where trade data and other trade policy-related information are gathered and analyzed. The information and analysis are provided to the President, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), and Congress to facilitate the development of sound and informed U.S. trade policy. The Commission makes most of its information and analysis available to the public to promote understanding of international trade issues. (http://www.usitc.gov/ext_relations/about_itc/index.htm)
As some of you may be aware Epson America, Inc. filed a complaint with the above named government agency as well as a lawsuit in U.S. District Court against 24 companies that had been importing inkjet cartridges which Epson argued violated U.S. patents held by Epson. The ITC ruled in favor of Epson on all grounds, and issued a number of orders mandating compliance from importers, resellers and other parties not named in the complaint or suit.
You can read more about the ruling at the links below. In keeping with legal and fair business practices, MIS Associates, Inc. will comply with the ITC ruling and not sell infringing products. We have been notified by virtually all of our previous and current suppliers that Epson compatible cartridges will no longer be available in the US market. We are aggressively taking action to comply with the ruling and plan to be in full compliance in the very near future. This action will necessitate changes to our web site. Any orders that have included cartridges that are infringing will not be shipped. Any warranty issues on existing orders will be handled on a case by case basis through our eSupport trouble ticket system at inksupply.helpserve.com
What happens now?
Currently, the order is awaiting the President's signature to finalize the ruling. If for any reason the President finds that the ruling will adversely affect the American public he may choose to ask the ruling to be modified or he may simply not sign it.
If you feel this ruling affects you adversely we strongly urge you to contact your local congressman and write letters to The Presidnet and Susan Schwab (person who will make decision, see below). There is a great deal of information available through the links below and across the Internet. We will be adding updates to our blog and our news page. Check them often for the latest news.
Feel free to use any of the information in the letter provided by Paul Roark to assist in making a case for having the President NOT sign this ruling.
The President has delegated this decision to Susan Schwab (U.S. Trade Representative, 600 17th Street, N.W., Washington D.C. 20508.). It appears the fate of competition in the market for Epson-compatible inks is in her hands. If she does not act to stop the implementation of International Trade Commission matter 337-TA-565, the ability of other companies to sell ink to consumers of Epson inkjet printers will be blocked by the U.S. government, in effect, subsidizing Epson's efforts to monopolize Epson-compatible ink sales by excluding inkjet cartridges from importation into the U.S.
Moving Froward
Prior to the industry wide global distribution of these infringing cartridges by the Epson named defendants, MIS Associates, Inc. specialized in Refill Kits designed for OEM cartridges allowing you the end user customer to refill and re-use your original cartridges. We continue to offer a full line of Refill Kits that include ink, the tools needed to access the filling area, and everything else to make the cartridge work again in your printer.
We will of course continue to provide full support for other items in our product line; Archival, Color and Black and White Inks for refilling, Fine Art Paper, Heat Transfer ink and substrates, Refill Kits, Refilling Accessories, Laser Toner Cartridges, and Solvent Inks. These products along with your support and technical contributions are what made MIS ASSOCIATES, INC, the company it is today. Please continue to look to us for all of your inkjet printing needs. Feel free to contact us if you can not find what you need, we will always be happy to help you find what you need to keep printing top quality work at a cost effective price.
Further Information
Below are links to additional information sources concerning the ITC determination.
Template for a letter of Protest to ITC
www.itc.epson.com
http://searchapp.usitc.gov/edis3/app (Enter 565 in the search box and click GO)
http://inksupply.helpserve.com/
Contact Information
Please research all of your concerns at the above links. If you have any questions regarding our products please submit a support ticket. We typically reply the same day or the next business day.
http://inksupply.helpserve.com/
As always, thank you for your support and ongoing business.
The staff at MIS Associates, Inc.
