Printer maker Lexmark has probably run out of ink today after firing off 24 patent lawsuits to cartridge vendors on Monday.

The Lexington, Kentucky-based company said in a statement yesterday that it had filed a patent infringement complaint with the US International Trade Commission against 24 firms.

"The complaint alleges that these replacement cartridges infringe at least 15 US patents owned by Lexmark," said the company.

Lexmark has called on the ITC to slap an exclusion order on the 24 vendors "banning the importation and sale of patent infringing laser cartridges by any entity".

Additionally, Lexmark noted that it had filed a related patent infringement complaint in the US District Court for the Southern District of Ohio against the same defendants.

"The District Court complaint contains allegations similar to those in the ITC complaint and seeks injunctive relief, monetary damages and attorneys’ fees," said Lexmark. ®