Amazon faces a lawsuit alleging the sale of deceptive clone cartridges as remanufactured in violation of Amazon’s policies, federal and state laws, and environmental goals have “eviscerated” the US printer cartridge remanufacturing industry.
Legal action has been launched against Amazon by Planet Green Cartridges, Inc., a California-based ink cartridge remanufacturer. The lawsuit alleges that Amazon knowingly allowed third-party sellers to distribute new built clone printer ink cartridges masquerading as remanufactured and recycled products on its platform. These claims stand in direct contradiction to Amazon’s policies, federal and state laws, and environmental goals.
Planet Green Cartridges asserts it is “one of the last remaining printer cartridge remanufacturers in the United States”. Where the “United States once was the epicentre of thousands of printer cartridge remanufacturers, suppliers, and resellers.” And: “Due to the conduct of Defendants as the primary advertiser and distributor of the sale of inauthentic products from overseas as alleged herein, the United States printer cartridge remanufacturing industry has been eviscerated.” And asserts that: “Without a legitimate printer cartridge remanufacturing industry, consumers, recyclers, taxpayers, and the environment will continue to bear the cost of handling the plastic waste.”
In their suit, Planet Green presented Amazon with conclusive evidence of multiple printer ink cartridge brands falsely advertised and labelled as remanufactured, despite being newly built clone products from China. Amazon’s response, invoking legal immunity under the Communications Decency Act, was challenged by the plaintiff as legally incorrect.
Planet Green alleges in their lawsuit that the following brands were found to be new built clone cartridges, falsely sold as “remanufactured” and recycled products:
| AAKidInk | Forzik | Janmore | Sellyaha |
| Ankink | Geshine | Jonity | Sheengo |
| Batuto | GPC Image | LxTek | Upsek |
| BJ Ink Cartridge | Greenbox | Kolor Expert | Valker |
| BStink | Greencycle | Lucascolo | ValueToner |
| CG Chinger | Incwolf | Mooho | V-Surlink |
| ColorKing | H&BO Topmae | Novajet | Witop |
| CSStar | Inkni | OnlyU | Yatunik |
| Doreink | InkSpirit | Palmtree | Ejet |
| FAcms | Inktopia | Reprinpic | |
| Fastink | Insmax | Retch | |
| Foiset | Jarbo | Teino |
According to the suit, Despite the evidence, Amazon reportedly continued to allow the deceptive sellers to operate on its platform, effectively endorsing their products by providing fulfilment services. This is seen as a direct violation of Amazon’s policies and its professed environmental mission. The lawsuit contends that Amazon’s deep involvement in distributing and promoting these deceptive clone cartridges renders them liable for their unlawful sale.
Planet Green Cartridges, Inc. has been a longstanding industry leader in producing authentic recycled ink cartridge products in the United States. It alleges that Amazon’s actions have harmed consumers and genuine remanufacturers, leading to unfair competition and misleading environmentally conscious customers.
The lawsuit seeks to hold Amazon accountable for facilitating the sale of these deceptive clone cartridges and undermining the integrity of its own platform’s policies and environmental objectives. The case highlights the growing concern over the accountability of online marketplaces in ensuring the accuracy of product claims and maintaining transparency in their operations.
Planet Green is the world leader of wholesale high quality remanufactured inkjet cartridges. Since 2000, Quality has been, and continues to be, the focus of every single activity in the company. Our mission is to create quality products, quality services and quality relationships. With these guiding values, Planet Green continues to be the partner of choice for customers who expect nothing but the best.
In March 2022, Planet Green launched a petition seeking a ban on non-recyclable generic cartridges to curb pollution and waste. They highlighted the urgency of action as these cartridges flood the market, undercut recycling efforts, and harm the environment. The petition targeted lawmakers, the Federal Trade Commission, and online retailers to address the issue. Read the story here.
For further details on the lawsuit and Amazon’s alleged involvement in selling deceptive clone cartridges, refer to the legal documents that Planet Green Cartridges, Inc. filed in the United States District Court for the Central District of California.
Editor: This is a landmark case that we will follow and report on, but the claims, if found to be correct, will have massive ramifications on the way Amazon does business in the US and on the clone manufacturers. Etira, the European Trade Association, should look to do something similar in the EU.
