Lexmark Int'l v. Static Control Components
Lexmark International v. Static Control Components is a case that was decided by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2003. It involved Lexmark, a company that makes printers, and Static Control, a company that made cartridges used in printers. Lexmark sold cartridges that had a microchip on them that only work with Lexmark printers and not with any other printer. Lexmark then had Static Control stopped from making those cartridges, claiming Static Control was stealing their ideas.
Static Control argued that Lexmark was hurting their business by not allowing them to make the cartridges. The Supreme Court agreed with Static Control and found that Lexmark had violated a law called the Copyright Act. The Copyright Act says that companies can't stop other companies from making something that is based on their idea. The Supreme Court said that Lexmark was wrong to try and stop Static Control from making their cartridges.
Static Control argued that Lexmark was hurting their business by not allowing them to make the cartridges. The Supreme Court agreed with Static Control and found that Lexmark had violated a law called the Copyright Act. The Copyright Act says that companies can't stop other companies from making something that is based on their idea. The Supreme Court said that Lexmark was wrong to try and stop Static Control from making their cartridges.