The pair's pre-press bust up, which began in the US in February before spreading to Europe this month, centres around the alleged infringement by VIM of two of Presstek's US patents and its trademark.

Presstek, which was already seeking an order from the ITC in the US forbidding the importation and sale of VIM plates, said it was now looking to protect its rights in Europe, in addition to seeking damages.

James Van Horn, general counsel and secretary to Presstek, said: "When we filed our ITC action against VIM earlier this year, we stated our intention to protect against the infringement of our patent rights wherever they were being violated.

"This action in Germany is focused on protecting our rights in Europe and seeking damages for VIM's improper conduct. This is simply our next step in the process of protecting our rights from VIM's infringement."

However, VIM, which had previously slammed what it described as Presstek's "baseless complaint" to the ITC, offered a different interpretation of events.

VIM founder and chief executive Avigdor Bieber said: "Knowing that it can't win the battle in the US marketplace, Presstek seems intent on fighting its battles in the courtrooms around the world. We are confident that VIM will prevail in both arenas."

Bieber added that VIM would continue to sell its "better and more economical plates" and defend itself against Presstek's "repeated baseless claims".