Presstek Prevails in Plate Patent Case

Presstek has prevailed in a critical ruling in the company’s patent infringement case against Israel-based VIM Technologies, Ltd.

In an opinion made public on Wednesday, Administrative Law Judge E. James Gildea ruled that Presstek’s patents for its printing plate technology are valid and enforceable and that VIM has been infringing Presstek’s rights by importing and selling VIM’s plates in the United States.

The company says that VIM continued to manufacture and sell its infringing products despite knowing, as early as 2004, that the products might infringe Presstek’s patent rights. Judge Gildea also found VIM’s manufacturing partner, Hanita Coatings RCA, Ltd., liable for illegally inducing the infringement of Presstek’s patents.

Presstek says it expects the International Trade Commission to confirm the judge’s ruling within the next few months by banning the importation of VIM’s illegal printing plates into the United States.

The ruling represents the second courtroom victory by Presstek in its patent infringement battle with VIM. In April the Regional Court in Dusseldorf, Germany found Presstek’s European patents to be infringed by VIM’s illegal plates.