Judge Dismisses Xerox Patent Suit Against Hewlett-Packard

Hewlett-Packard Co., the nation’s largest maker of computer printers, won a legal battle with rival Xerox Corp. when a federal judge threw out a patent lawsuit alleging that HP has used Xerox’s technology in inkjet printer cartridges.

Xerox sued HP in May 1998, seeking to bar it permanently from selling supplies and printers, including some DeskJet models, using the disputed technology. U.S. District Judge Michael Telesca in Rochester, N.Y., concluded that HP had not infringed on Xerox’s patent. Xerox said it will appeal the ruling.

HP and Xerox have sued each other repeatedly as they compete in more markets. There are four intellectual property cases pending between the two companies, HP spokesman Rod Clayton said.

News of the ruling came after the markets closed.

Shares of Palo Alto-based Hewlett-Packard closed up 6 cents at $110.81; Xerox, based in Stamford, Conn., fell $1.31 to close at $47. Both trade on the New York Stock Exchange.