EPSON TAKES LEGAL ACTION TO PROTECT ITS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

Kuala Lumpur – 20 January 2012 – Epson invests heavily to develop products and technologies that ensure its customers receive the very best experience and quality. While carefully respecting the intellectual property of other companies, Epson likewise expects others to respect its intellectual assets. We therefore take a proactive stance against infringements to protect our customers and channel partners against misuse of our brand and intellectual property.

Epson will not allow the value of its intellectual property rights to be diminished by others and have a vigilant program of enforcement of these rights. Epson is prepared to spend whatever is necessary and do what it takes, including legal action, to enforce these rights against any infringing party.

Epson has become aware of the presence and sales of various continuous ink supply systems (CISS) products, including refillable and non-refillable compatible Epson cartridge products in Malaysia. After detailed analysis by an independent professional expert, it was found that some of these products infringe several of Epson's patents.

Action has since been taken against the parties importing, selling and offering for sale of such products which infringe Epson's patents and these infringing products have since been withdrawn from sale and destroyed.

Any manufacture, use, sale, possession for sale, offering for sale, importation or stocking of any such CISS products, ink refills and compatible Epson cartridges may be considered as activities that infringe Epson’s patents (“Infringing Activities”). Parties found to have infringed any of Epson's patents may be subject to legal action and civil liability.

We therefore urge companies to be aware of Epson’s intellectual property rights and avoid engaging in any Infringing Activities as these may expose them to legal action from Epson. We urge our customers to insist on genuine Epson consumable products that have been manufactured in accordance with high quality control standards and have been designed for use with Epson printers.