Fujifilm Press Release

Fujifilm Files Complaint Against Achiever, Dc Tech, Ferrania And Others - Company Continues Efforts to Protect One-Time-Use Camera Patents

VALHALLA, NY, MARCH 20, 2006—Fuji Photo Film U.S.A., Inc. announced that its parent company, Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. of Tokyo, Japan (“Fujifilm”) has started a lawsuit against Achiever Industries Ltd. (“Achiever”), Achiever Group (Holdings) Ltd., DC Tech Industry Corp., Ferrania U.S.A., Inc., Fitra Investmenti, SpA and certain individuals in control of Achiever and DC Tech regarding the illegal importation and sale of One-Time-Use Cameras and components used to assemble such cameras in violation of patents held by Fujifilm.

The complaint was filed in the United States District Court, for the Central District of California and seeks an order that the defendants be enjoined and restrained from infringing, contributing to infringement and inducing others to infringe Fujifilm’s patents; pay damages to Fujifilm; pay treble damages to compensate for the willful infringement of Fujifilm’s patents and reimburse Fujifilm for legal fees incurred as a result of the infringement.

Achiever and its cameras have been found to infringe Fujifilm’s patents in an initial investigation by the U.S. International Trade Commission which resulted in the issuance of a General Exclusion Order in 1999, and in a Commission Enforcement Proceeding concluded in 2005. 

Fujifilm pioneered the development of One-Time-Use Cameras, introducing its first product in Japan in 1986, and in the United States under the trademark Fujicolor® QuickSnap®  in 1987. Fujifilm began producing QuickSnap cameras in 1995 at its factory in Greenwood, SC, which now supplies a large portion of QuickSnap cameras sold in the U.S.

About Fujifilm
Fuji Photo Film U.S.A., Inc. is a subsidiary of Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. and delivers technology solutions to meet the imaging and information needs of retailers, consumers, professionals and business customers. As a global leader in digital imaging, Fujifilm pioneered the development of digital medical systems, and today is the leader in digital minilab systems. The company was ranked number 15 for U.S. patents granted during 2004, employs more than 75,000 people worldwide and in the year ending March 31, 2005, had global revenues of more than $23.6 billion.

In the United States, Fujifilm is a leader in delivering high quality, easy-to-use imaging and information solutions in the following categories: Digital Imaging Systems, Film and Imaging Systems, Recording/Storage Media, Motion Picture Film, Graphic Arts and Printing Systems and Medical Imaging and Diagnostics Systems. Fujifilm is an environmentally friendly, humane enterprise and an exemplary corporate citizen.

For more information on Fujifilm products, consumers can call 800-800-FUJI or access the Fujifilm USA Web site at www.fujifilm.com. 

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