Accentra, makers of the PaperPro line of desktop staplers, has filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Acco Brands Corporation, manufacturers of Swingline staplers, alleging infringement of US Patents.

In dispute are the Swingline PowerEaseTM, OptimaTM PowerEase and Compact PowerEase models which PaperPro asserts are in violation of its patented technology. This filing against Acco follows a similar infringement suit filed by Accentra in 2007 against Staples for its unauthorized sale of staplers sold under the “One Touch” brand. The suit against Staples also includes Accentra’s assertion of ownership rights in the “One Touch” brand for staplers. The suit against Staples is expected to go to trial this year.

PaperPro CEO Todd Moses said: “Sure, it’s vital to our business that we defend our intellectual property,” he says. “But vital as well to other inventors and small businesses who also have to contend with the strong-arm tactics of large corporations… and every day I get calls and emails of support from people – inside and outside our industry – who tell me to keep fighting the good fight. And that’s what we intend to do.”