Electronics For Imaging, Inc. (NASDAQ:EFII), a world leader in
customer-focused digital printing innovation, and its superwide format
printer unit VUTEk today announced victory in its German patent
litigation with Durst Fototechnik Digital Technology GmbH involving
EFI’s VUTEk QS series printers with white ink technology.
Durst brought the lawsuit in the Mannheim Regional Court on February 27,
2007, accusing EFI’s VUTEk QS series printers of infringing Durst’s
utility model DE 20 2005 012 179 U1. From the outset, EFI has maintained
that it employed the technology in its QS printers well before Durst
obtained its utility model. Under German law, a utility model is an
intellectual property right to protect inventions, very similar to a
U.S. patent.
The expert appointed by the Court agreed with EFI that Durst’s utility
model claims were not novel and lacked any inventive step. EFI argued
that Durst’s utility model claims were therefore invalid and that
Durst’s infringements claims were meritless. On Friday, the German Court
announced its decision, entirely dismissing Durst’s infringement claims
against EFI. A written judgment detailing the dismissal is expected to
be released soon.
"Along with our recent patent victory in the U.S. over Leggett & Platt
earlier this month, the German court’s decision reinforces EFI’s
position as the worldwide technology leader in superwide format printing
and inks,” said EFI’s General Counsel Bryan Ko. "Our robust and growing
of portfolio industry leading patents continue to drive the print
industry’s transformation from analog to digital color.”
"EFI has been a leading innovator in the print industry since our
founding. We are very pleased that the German courts have shined a light
on Durst’s false claims that it invented the technology first,” added
EFI’s President Fred Rosenzweig. "We look forward to continuing to bring
our innovative customer-focused printing solutions to our customers
throughout the world.”
The victory substantiates EFI’s innovation and continued success in the
super wide format printer market, not only in the United States, but
abroad. As the worldwide leader in grand format UV printer placements,
EFI will continue to deliver its innovative wide format UV printers and
inks worldwide.
About EFI
EFI (www.efi.com)
is a world leader in customer-focused digital printing innovation. EFI’s
award-winning solutions, integrated from creation to print, deliver
increased performance, cost savings and productivity. The company’s
robust product portfolio includes Fiery® digital print servers; VUTEk®
superwide digital inkjet printers, UV and solvent inks; Rastek™ UV
wide-format inkjet printers; Jetrion® industrial inkjet printing
systems; print production workflow and management information software;
and corporate printing solutions. EFI maintains 23 offices worldwide.
NOTE TO EDITORS: EFI and VUTEk are registered trademarks of Electronics
for Imaging, Inc. in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and/or certain
other foreign jurisdictions. All other trademarks mentioned in this
document are the property of their respective owners.
EFI undertakes no obligation to update information contained herein.