Lexmark International v. Static Control Components

Lexmark International v. Static Control Components was a legal case where Lexmark sued Static Control for manufacturing replacement chips that enabled printers to refil and reuse cartridges without authorization. Lexmark claimed this violated their patents and trademarks. The case clarified that companies can sue competitors for patent and trademark infringement when rivals produce compatible parts that bypass restrictions, but they cannot pursue claims that unfairly block legitimate third-party repairs or resale. The ruling emphasized balancing intellectual property rights with fair competition and consumer rights, reinforcing that patent rights don't grant absolute control over compatible components.