Canon today announced the filing of two patent infringement complaints in Brazil against local companies for infringement of Brazilian Patent Nos. PI 0720506-6 and PI 0807733-9 relating, respectively, to an “electro photographic drum unit, processing cartridge and device for producing electro photographic images” and to a “developing device and device for producing electro photographic images for forming an image on a recording medium” by, inter alia, the offering and sale of certain toner cartridges for use in various models of Hewlett-Packard laser beam printers. Canon is seeking injunctive relief and damages.

The District Court Judge in Rio de Janeiro granted preliminaries ex parte injunction and ordered the defendants to abstain from producing, using, placing for sale, selling or import, directly or indirectly the toner cartridges object of the court actions or any identical or similar toner cartridges on the penalty of a fine in the event of default. These decisions could be challenged by appeals and final decisions by the court are still pending.

Throughout the development, sales and marketing process, Canon respects the intellectual property rights of other companies and individuals and expects others to do the same. Canon remains committed to taking legal action against anyone who does not respect Canon's intellectual property rights.