Presstek triumphs in patent suit against VIM Technologies

27 April 2009

Pre-media

Plate manufacturer Presstek has won its first patent suit against VIM Technologies over the manufacture and sale of digital offset printing plates.

A German court ruled that a number of the VIM products infringed upon the German part of Presstek's related patents and ordered distributor Reinsch Handel to cease all sales.

It additionally ordered Israel-based VIM to hand over information on sales in Germany of the products, including details of buyers, in order to assess damages.

The Dusseldorf court denied VIM's invalidity arguments, although the company may still appeal, and its nullity suit brought by VIM against Presstek remains ongoing.

The order will come in to effect once the judgement is served, although Presstek can take immediate advantage of the court order by posting a bond.

Presstek first filed suit against VIM and its manufacturing partner Hanita Coatings in February 2008, lodging a complaint with the International Trade Commission.

It has also filed suits against US and Canadian distributors and has succeeded in gaining an agreement with Ohio Graphco to cease sales.

VIM has previously described Presstek's claims as "baseless".

Presstek European sales and operations director Ray Hillhouse told PrintWeek that the ruling was "significant".

"Obviously this has only been announced this week, so we're still consider what our next steps will be," he added.

Presstek's general counsel James Van Horn said: "This is an important victory in Presstek's ongoing efforts to protect its valuable and legally protected intellectual property.

"While Presstek welcomes fair competition in the marketplace, we will not allow parties like VIM to gain unfair standing in the market by appropriating our technology.

"This judgment should serve as a warning that the purchase and use of VIM products violate patent rights and come with the risk of significant liability."