Impression Products, Inc. v. Lexmark International, Inc.
Before the Verdict
A Landmark Supreme Court Case
Before the Supreme Court heard the case, Eric Smith appeared on MSNBC to explain what was at stake. Few people realized this case would become one of the most significant consumer rights, intellectual property, and sustainability decisions of the 21st century.
The Case
Lexmark sold genuine printer cartridges but attempted to restrict what customers could do with them after purchase. Through its patented "Return Program," Lexmark argued that customers who accepted a discount agreed not to reuse or resell those cartridges.
Impression Products believed that once a customer purchased a genuine product, they owned it. That belief led to a legal battle that eventually reached the United States Supreme Court.
The Unanimous Decision
In May 2017, the United States Supreme Court unanimously ruled in favor of Impression Products. The Court held that once a patented product is sold with the patent holder's authorization, the patent rights to that individual item are exhausted. This landmark decision strengthened consumer ownership rights, encouraged competition, and reinforced the freedom to repair, reuse, and resell genuine products without unnecessary restrictions.
Why It Matters Today
The Supreme Court's decision continues to benefit businesses, schools, hospitals, and consumers across the United States. It reinforced the principle that when you purchase a genuine product, you own it.
That same commitment continues at Impression Products today. We remain dedicated to providing high-quality, American-made, eco-friendly toner cartridges that help organizations reduce costs, reduce waste, and extend the life of their printers.
The Legacy Continues
The Supreme Court's unanimous decision continues to benefit businesses, schools, hospitals, pharmacies, hotels, auto parts retailers, government agencies, and consumers across the United States. It reinforced a simple but powerful principle: when you purchase a genuine product, you own it.
That same commitment continues to guide Impression Products today. For more than 50 years, we have been dedicated to providing high-quality, American-made, environmentally responsible toner cartridges that help organizations reduce printing costs, minimize waste, and extend the life of their printers—without sacrificing performance or reliability.
Today, Impression Products proudly serves hospitals, healthcare systems, pharmacies, hotels, auto parts retailers, schools, government agencies, manufacturers, and businesses of every size. Organizations that depend on reliable printing trust Impression Products for dependable products, exceptional customer service, and decades of industry expertise.
The Supreme Court case wasn't simply about printer cartridges. It was about protecting customer choice, encouraging competition, and promoting sustainability. Those same principles remain at the heart of everything we do today.
Whether you're purchasing your first toner cartridge or managing thousands of printers across multiple locations, Impression Products is committed to providing the quality, service, and integrity that have defined our company for more than 50 years.
Media & Recognition
Impression Products has been recognized nationally for its leadership in consumer rights, innovation, and sustainability. The company's landmark Supreme Court case has been featured by major news organizations, helping educate businesses and consumers about the importance of ownership rights, competition, and environmentally responsible remanufacturing.
Explore some of the national media coverage below.