HP settles patent violation cases with importers

PALO ALTO, Calif. (AP) - Hewlett Packard has reached a settlement with three companies that have been accused of infringing on the printer company's patents for ink cartridges.

HP filed a complaint with the U.S. International Trade Commission in September, seeking to ban imports of ink cartridges by 11 companies.

Two of those companies have agreed to stop the imports and paid HP an undisclosed sum. HP expects to reach a similar agreement with a third.

A fourth company has asked an administrative law judge to end the commission's investigation after agreeing to cease importing these ink cartridges. A default judgment was entered against the remaining seven companies.