Yes, you have choices, but not all choices are equal
A recent ruling by the US Supreme Court has sparked new conversations in our industry - and yes, some confusion too. In a landmark clarification of Impression Products v. Lexmark, the Court reaffirmed the principle of patent exhaustion which means that once a patented item is sold, the manufacturer can’t use patent law to control what happens to it afterwards. That includes resale, refilling, and importing refurbished versions—even from outside the US.
In short: customers now have the legal right to use third-party or refilled toner cartridges, even if the originals were sold in another country.
So, what does this mean for us—and for the people we serve? Let’s be clear: Kyocera welcomes the right to choose. But we also know that choice is only powerful when it’s informed. This ruling doesn’t change the fundamentals of what we offer—it simply sharpens the conversation.
Our customers don’t buy Kyocera because they have to. They choose us because our systems are built to deliver smarter, cleaner, and more secure performance, over the long haul.
That doesn’t come from a cartridge alone. It comes from a complete, integrated ecosystem: firmware, hardware, consumables, service, support, and innovation—designed to work together. When customers choose Kyocera Original Toner, they’re not just buying black powder in a plastic case.
They’re investing in:
- Maximum uptime and lower long-term costs
- Secure document workflows and firmware stability
- Sustainability through certified eco-packaging and recycling
- Support that honours warranties and accelerates resolution
We are in the business of optimisation—not just ownership. And in a world where IT departments are under pressure and ESG commitments are non-negotiable, that matters.
For you our partners here's what this means for your business:
You may see more questions, more comparisons, and yes—more pressure on price. That’s natural. But this is also a powerful moment to reassert the value of what we offer together.
We know the business reality for most manufacturers is that the margin doesn’t sit in the machine—it sits in the toner, drums, maintenance kits, and service contracts that follow. And yes, this ruling makes it even easier for:
- Third-party vendors to enter the channel with cheaper alternatives
- Customers to bypass OEM-quality supplies in favour of lower upfront prices
- Markets like South Africa and India to import low-cost remanufactured units at scale
This means we’re operating in a landscape where competition will increase and margins will tighten—especially in price-sensitive environments. But that also means clarity becomes a strategic advantage.
When we focus on total cost of ownership, risk mitigation, long-term reliability, and sustainability, we shift the conversation away from “what’s cheapest” to “what performs, protects, and pays off over time” because you are not selling “printer supplies,” you are providing reliable solutions, end-to-end expertise, and peace of mind. That’s worth more than a low-cost refill and a risk.
For now, remember: we lead with clarity. This is a chance to show leadership, not fear. Let's shift the narrative away from fear of losing control, and toward empowering customers with confidence in what works—and why Kyocera remains the smarter, safer, and more sustainable choice.
Because when people understand the full story, they make better decisions, so yes, we all have choices, but not all choices are equal.
Jimmy de Waal - Sales and Marketing Director - KYOCERA Document Solutions South Africa
