RCT and Epson Settle Patent Infringement Suit
Tucson, AZ - Jan 15, 2001
Research Corporation Technologies and Japan-based Seiko Epson Corporation have settled a patent infringement lawsuit RCT brought against Epson in July 2000.
RCT claimed Epson uses RCT's patented technology for halftoning color and gray-scale images in a variety of its inkjet printers.
Through constructive discussions and because Epson recognizes the value of RCT's technology, both parties agreed to settle the matter. RCT granted Epson a license to RCT's patents for the Blue Noise Mask halftoning technology developed by Kevin Parker and Theophano Mitsa at the University of Rochester in New York. RCT settled a similar lawsuit against the Hewlett-Packard Company in December 1999.
"We are pleased with the settlement and look forward to a mutually rewarding relationship with Seiko Epson," said RCT President Gary M. Munsinger. "Our Blue Noise Mask team expects to conclude a number of licenses over the coming months. To remain competitive, players in the printer and related industries should seriously consider this technology."
The Blue Noise Mask is the first halftoning method to combine high quality with virtually instantaneous halftoning. "Blue noise" refers to an unstructured pattern with small low-frequency-noise components that produces visually appealing arrangements of dots. Blue Noise Mask provides superior images, free of image artifacts and moiré patterns, at faster speeds.
RCT has developed a formidable portfolio of patents covering this technology. This portfolio includes U.S. Patent Nos. 5,726,772 (amendment), 5,708,518 (amendment), 5,543,941 (amendment), 5,477,305 (amendment), 5,341,228 (amendment) and 5,111,310 (amendment); Japanese Patent JP2622429; and European Patents EP560872 and EP749232. A third European patent application is allowed and will issue soon. Multiple patent applications are pending in Canada and Ireland.
Media contact: Jan McCoy Hutchinson, RCT, (520) 748-4458.