Xerox Sues Mita Copystar America for Patent Infringement

Xerox Corporation, a global leader in document management, has taken legal action against Mita Copystar America, a US subsidiary of the Japanese-based Mita Industrial Co. Ltd., for allegedly infringing on four Xerox patents contained in Mita products. This lawsuit, filed in US District Court in Rochester, New York, marks the second time this year that Xerox has sued a competitor for patent infringement. The company is seeking an injunction to stop Mita from selling the infringing products and unspecified damages.

Key Takeaways:

• Xerox is suing Mita Copystar America for patent infringement, alleging that four Xerox patents are contained in Mita products.
• The lawsuit, filed in US District Court in Rochester, New York, marks the second time this year that Xerox has sued a competitor for patent infringement.
• Xerox is seeking an injunction to prohibit Mita from continuing to sell the infringing products, plus unspecified damages.
• The action is a result of Xerox's obligation to protect its intellectual property, which the company considers a valuable asset.
• Xerox and its partner Fuji Xerox invested $1.7 billion in research and development in 1997 alone, resulting in the award of almost 800 patents.
• Xerox President and Chief Operating Officer G. Richard Thoman emphasized the importance of protecting the company's intellectual property in a competitive market.

Statistics:

• $1.7 billion: The amount invested by Xerox and Fuji Xerox in research and development in 1997 alone.
• 800: The number of patents awarded to Xerox in 1997.
• 2: The number of times this year that Xerox has sued a competitor for patent infringement.

Sources:

• Business Wire, "Xerox Corporation Sues Mita Copystar America for Patent infringement" (September 21, 1998).
• Xerox, The Document Company, and the digital X are trademarks of Xerox Corporation.
• Xerox, The Document Company, http://www.xerox.com.