Ricoh, Xerox file petition for US Patent & Trademark Office to review aggressive patent licensing campaign by affiliates of MPHJ Technology Investments; campaign asserts use of multi-function printers with email or network software infringes on patent

Kendall Sinclair

MALVERN, Pennsylvania , May 24, 2013 (press release) – Ricoh Americas Corporation and Xerox Corporation today filed a Petition for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Patent No. 7,786,426 (“the ’426 patent”) at the United States Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO). The ’426 patent has become the subject of an aggressive patent licensing campaign by various affiliates of MPHJ Technology Investments who are targeting users of the products of virtually every manufacturer of multi-function imaging equipment, including Ricoh and Xerox.

The campaign by MPHJ’s affiliates, which has focused primarily on small and medium-sized businesses, asserts that the use of multi-function printers in combination with email or network software infringes MPHJ’s ’426 patent and demands a license fee be paid for such use. As part of the Inter Partes Review Petition, Ricoh and Xerox are seeking a ruling from the USPTO that the claims of the ’426 patent are unpatentable and were fully anticipated by various prior art references.

In a joint statement the companies said, “Ricoh and Xerox believe that the ’426 patent is invalid, the infringement claims are without merit and the licensing demands of MPHJ are unsupportable. Today’s filing demonstrates both Ricoh and Xerox’s strong commitment to their customers and authorized dealer networks. If successful, our action will both nullify the ’426 patent and help disable MPHJ’s licensing campaign against our customers. We are confident this is the right action to take to support our customers.”

Ricoh and Xerox will continue to monitor MPHJ’s licensing efforts and will update their customers and authorized dealer networks with any further developments regarding the USPTO’s Review.

About Ricoh
Ricoh is a global technology company specializing in office imaging equipment, production print solutions, document management systems and IT services. Headquartered in Tokyo, Ricoh Group operates in about 200 countries and regions. In the financial year ending March 2013, Ricoh Group had worldwide sales of 1,924 billion yen (approx. 20 billion USD).

The majority of the company's revenue comes from products, solutions and services that improve the interaction between people and information. Ricoh also produces award-winning digital cameras and specialized industrial products. It is known for the quality of its technology, the exceptional standard of its customer service and sustainability initiatives.

Under its corporate tagline, imagine. change. Ricoh helps companies transform the way they work and harness the collective imagination of their employees.

For further information, please visit www.ricoh.com/about/

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