Commission confirms 2026 target date for patent probe into ink cartridge imports.
The United States International Trade Commission (USITC) has confirmed it will not review an initial determination establishing a December 2026 deadline for concluding its investigation into alleged patent violations by 20 companies accused of infringing Epson’s ink cartridge technologies.
The case, formally launched in June 2025, stems from a complaint by Epson America, Epson Portland and Seiko Epson, which allege breaches of five U.S. patents by a mix of Chinese, Hong Kong, and U.S.-based respondents.
An administrative law judge cited the case’s complexity, ongoing dockets and staff shortages as justification for the 18-month timeline, diverging from the standard 16-month schedule. The final ruling on patent infringement is expected by August 2026.
If the Commission finds a violation, it could result in exclusion orders, effectively banning the import of infringing products into the U.S.—a potentially significant blow for the respondents. For Epson, success would bolster its enforcement of intellectual property rights across a competitive aftermarket industry.
