HP, Wex settle trademark case over HP's 'Wex' software

Sept 24 (Reuters) - HP Inc (HPQ.N) and Wex Inc (WEX.N) have settled a trademark dispute over HP's alleged misuse of the "Wex" name to brand its software, the companies told a Maine federal court on Tuesday.

HP and Wex informed the U.S. District Court for the District of Maine of the settlement during a Tuesday conference, according to the court's docket. Attorneys and spokespeople for the companies did not immediately respond to requests for comment and more information about the settlement.

Wex offers software for corporate payments, managing vehicle fleets and administering employee benefit plans. The Portland, Maine-based company, which formerly specialized in fuel cards for the trucking industry and was known as Wright Express, changed its name to Wex in 2012.

Palo Alto, California-headquartered HP announced its "HP Wex" information-technology "Workforce Experience Platform" in March. Wex filed the lawsuit in April, arguing that HP's software would cause consumer confusion.

U.S. District Judge John Woodcock granted Wex's request to block HP from using the "Wex" name for the duration of the case in July, finding that "the products are similar, the parties use the same marketing terms to promote the products, the plaintiff's marks are strong, and the plaintiff has put forth convincing evidence of actual confusion."

HP's website currently refers to its software platform as a "digital employee experience (DEX) solution."

The case is Wex Inc v. HP Inc, U.S. District Court for the District of Maine, No. 2:24-cv-00121.