Hewlett-Packard Co has filed a lawsuit against its arch enemy Xerox Corp alleging trademark infringement on printer toner cartridges. Xerox entered the market with its own brand of cartridges only last month (CI No 3,253). Hewlett-Packard says the packaging of laser printer toner replacement cartridges from Xerox imply Hewlett-Packard has endorsed the products, or at least has some kind of affiliation with the company. Hewlett-Packard is claiming 23 trademarks have been infringed on the products that sell at up to 20% less that the Hewlett-Packard models. The claim also alleges that the packaging on the Xerox products bears a distinct resemblance to that of the Hewlett-Packard model. In response to the filing, Xerox has said its packaging is appropriate and it says it will be vigorously denying the allegations made against it.
