Packaging Automation (PA) is taking legal action to protect its trademark, after discovering infringements in the use of its latest tray sealer.

The tray sealer - eco-cut™ - is said by PA to have created “a lot of interest” in the UK market. A statement reads: “Packaging Automation, which has invested heavily in developing the machine, has recently found that one or more companies are either deliberately or inadvertently using the trade marked name to describe other packaging equipment - implying that alternative machines can offer the same savings and waste reduction capacity as the eco-cut™.

“Given the level of investment and innovation the eco-cut™ represents, Packaging Automation's directors are determined to protect both the trade mark and the patent which was applied for earlier this year and is now pending.”

Although the company said it would prefer to avoid litigation as a result of infringements, it is already challenging one packaging equipment manufacturer, who it believes has breached the trade mark. PA managing director Carol Royle added: "Where we have clear evidence that our trade mark is being infringed our lawyers will be contacting the offending parties."