Helwett-Packard adds Taiwan company to patent lawsuit over ink jet cartridges

Hewlett-Packard adds defendant to patent suit

PALO ALTO, Calif. — Hewlett-Packard Co., the world’s largest PC maker, said it added a new defendant to an existing federal lawsuit over inkjet printer cartridge patent infringement and sale of products incorporating stolen components.

HP said late Thursday it is now also suing Asia Pacific Microsystems Inc., an affiliated company of UMC Group, both of which are based in Taiwan.

HP said it is adding one of its subsidiaries, Hewlett-Packard Development Co., as a plaintiff in the case. It is also making the same changes to the case before the U.S. International Trade Commission.

The PC maker filed the original lawsuit in March against MicroJet Technology Co., Mipo Technology Ltd., Mipo Science & Technology Co. and its America-based operations, SinoTime Technologies Inc. and PTC Holdings Ltd. saying the companies infringe on inkjet cartridge patents.

Shares of HP added 38 cents to $46.33 in afternoon trading.