Sale of Epson Compatible Printer Cartridges Halted

TOKYO, JAPAN, June 17, 2005 – Environmental Business Products Limited, one of the UK’s largest importers and distributors of Epson compatible printer cartridges, has stopped importing and supplying Epson compatible printer cartridges as a result of an out of Court settlement reached between it and Seiko Epson Corporation (“Epson”). The settlement follows High Court proceedings brought by Epson against Environmental Business Products Limited for infringement of a number of patents and registered designs belonging to Epson in respect of Environmental Business Products Limited’s acts of importation and supplying.

The settlement terms include the payment by Environmental Business Products Limited of Epson’s legal costs plus a substantial payment in respect of damages. The full terms of the settlement are confidential.

Mr. Pat Stead, the managing director of Environmental Business Products Limited said:

“We have ceased importing and supplying Epson compatible cartridges because we are not confident of finding Epson compatibles that do not infringe one or more of Seiko Epson’s patents or registered designs”

Mr. Seiichi Hirano (Director, Chief Executive of Imaging & Information Products Operations Division) of Seiko Epson Corporation said:

“We will continue the enforcement of our intellectual property to protect our innovative products against importers supplying infringing products”

About Epson
Epson is a global leader in imaging products including printers, projectors and LCDs. With an innovative and creative culture, Epson is dedicated to exceeding the vision and expectations of customers worldwide with products known for their superior quality, functionality, compactness and energy efficiency.

Epson is a network of 85,647 employees in 115 companies around the world, and is proud of its ongoing contributions to the global environment and to the communities in which it is located. Led by the Japan-based Seiko Epson Corp., the Group had consolidated sales of 1479.7 billion yen in fiscal 2004.