Oct. 10, 2002 (WhatTheyThink.com) -- ImageX lost an initial court challenge in a bid to have iPrint's automated printing system shut down in advance of trial. ImageX filed a patent suit against iPrint Technologies on August 26, 2002 in the Federal District Court for the Western District of Washington. ImageX says the Court reasoned, in part, that such a request would have a catastrophic effect on iPrint's business, its creditors and shareholders. In a statement, Nickoletta Swank, iPrint's EVP of eCommerce Solutions said: ImageX sought to stop iPrint from using its own, proprietary online print ordering system. (We) are pleased that the court ruled in our favor.'' iPrint believes that ImageX's patent infringement claims are without merit. iPrint has filed several counterclaims against ImageX, including a request that the U.S. District Court declare the patent on which ImageX bases its claims to be invalid.