ITC Bans Cheap Ink Cartridges, Epson Wins Patent Fight
Published Date: 9/29/2026
Notice
Summary
The U.S. International Trade Commission found that certain ink cartridges and parts from Mountain Peak, Inc. and Straightouttaink, LP violate U.S. patents held by Epson companies. As a result, these infringing products are banned from being imported into the U.S., and the companies must stop selling them. This decision ends the investigation and protects patent rights while impacting the involved businesses immediately.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.
100% Bond Required During Presidential Review
The Commission requires a bond equal to 100% of the entered value of the covered products for any such products during the period of Presidential review. That means importers seeking to bring the covered cartridges into the U.S. while the Presidential review is pending must post a bond equal to the full entered value.
Import Ban on Certain Ink Cartridges
The U.S. International Trade Commission issued a general exclusion order banning the importation into the United States of certain ink cartridges and components that infringe claims of U.S. Patent Nos. 8,540,347; 9,061,508; 11,535,037; 11,820,150; and 12,246,539. The order forbids bringing those covered products into the U.S. as of the Commission's September 23, 2026 determination.
Orders Forcing Two U.S. Sellers To Stop Sales
The Commission issued cease and desist orders against Mountain Peak, Inc. (d/b/a Billiontree Technology USA, Inc.) and Straightouttaink, LP, requiring those companies to stop selling the infringing ink cartridges and components in the United States. The CDOs were part of the Commission's final determination issued on September 23, 2026.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-19852, Boltless Steel Shelving Units Prepackaged for Sale From China; Determinations
The U.S. International Trade Commission decided to keep special duties on boltless steel shelving units from China because removing them could hurt American businesses. This means importers will still pay extra fees, helping protect U.S. manufacturers. The decision was finalized in September 2026 and affects anyone buying or selling these shelves in the U.S.
2026-19914, Methionine From France, Japan, and Spain; Notice of Commission Determination To Conduct Full Five-Year Reviews
The U.S. International Trade Commission is launching full five-year reviews to check if stopping special import taxes on methionine from France, Japan, and Spain would hurt U.S. businesses. This affects companies dealing with methionine imports and could impact prices or trade rules soon. The review schedule will be shared later, so keep an eye out for updates!
2026-19879, Oil Country Tubular Goods From India, South Korea, Turkey, Ukraine, and Vietnam; Determinations
The U.S. International Trade Commission decided to keep special taxes on certain steel pipes from India, South Korea, Turkey, Ukraine, and Vietnam. These taxes help protect American companies from unfairly cheap imports that could hurt jobs and businesses. This decision means the taxes stay in place for now, keeping the playing field fair and supporting U.S. industry.
2026-19875, Wooden Fence Pickets From China; Institution of Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Investigations and Scheduling of Preliminary Phase Investigations
The U.S. is launching investigations to see if wooden fence pickets from China are being unfairly sold or subsidized, hurting American fence makers. If proven, extra duties could be added to these imports to protect U.S. businesses. The first big decision is due by November 9, 2026, so things are moving fast!
2026-19713, Certain Powered Rocker-Recliner and Glider-Recliner Mechanisms and Seating Units Containing Same; Notice of Institution of Investigation
The U.S. International Trade Commission is launching an investigation into certain powered rocker-recliner and glider-recliner mechanisms that might be infringing on patents held by Ultra-Mek and Leggett & Platt. This could lead to import bans and sales restrictions in the U.S., affecting manufacturers and sellers of these recliners. The investigation started in late 2026 and could impact the market and money flow for these comfy chairs soon.
2026-19811, Tin Mill Products From China, Taiwan, and Turkey; Scheduling of the Final Phase of Countervailing Duty and Antidumping Duty Investigations
The U.S. is investigating whether cheap tin mill products from China, Taiwan, and Turkey are hurting American steel makers. This means they’re checking if these imports are unfairly priced or subsidized, which could lead to extra taxes to protect U.S. businesses. The final decision phase started on September 21, 2026, so changes affecting prices and imports could happen soon.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-19846, Membership of the Performance Review Board
The Department of Education just announced the new members of its Performance Review Board, the team that checks how well top executives are doing their jobs. This update affects Senior Executive Service members and kicks in right away on September 29, 2026. No money changes here, just fresh faces ready to keep things running smoothly!
Next: 2026-19848, Submission of Information Collection for OMB Review; Comment Request; Generic Clearance for the Collection of Qualitative and Quantitative Feedback on Agency Service Delivery
The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) wants to keep collecting feedback from the public about how well they deliver their services. They’re asking for permission to continue this through October 31, 2026, and want your comments by October 29, 2026. This helps PBGC improve without costing extra money or time for most people.