Tech-ni-fold ends three-year patent case

Auxiliary finishing equipment manufacturer Tech-ni-fold has finally put an end to a near three year patent battle over its products.

In early 2009 the company warned that substandard copies of its products had appeared in the United States, as well as making their way into other markets, including the UK.

This week Tech-ni-fold reached a settlement on its patent infringement lawsuit against Chaska, Minnesota-based Update.

Update agreed to cease manufacturing of its Ultimate Score product and its consumable components this week after discontinuing sales of the scoring device in April of this year.

Tech-ni-fold managing director Graham Harris told PrintWeek that the settlement brings to an end a "long, stressful period in the company's history".

He said: "This is really good news. Customers have come to trust Tech-ni-Fold as an innovator in the field of unique creasing products, who have invested heavily in improving them to retain a leading position in the market. 

"Tech-ni-fold USA is now offering to part exchange the discontinued Update line if users wish to purchase the legitimate device. Even though they are not our customers, we want to help them out if we can, we do feel for them."