Tag Archives: patent

PTAB Defers to ITC for Patent Validity Decisions

August 9, 2012, in a decision regarding a petition filed by Kiss Nail Products, the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) denied institution of post-grant review (PGR) of a Lashify, Inc. patent directed to artificial eyelash extensions in view of a co-pending ITC Section 337 investigation. Why is this significant? Continue reading here a blog post by our colleague Adam Hess.… Continue Reading

Cross-post: Growing Tension Between the ITC and the PTAB

One of the most common responses to being sued for patent infringement is a petition to the USPTO’s Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) challenging the validity of the patent. To avoid duplication of effort, either the Board or the tribunal can defer to the other. According to a recent decision, the U.S. International Trade … Continue Reading

Increase in Section 337 Complaints

After a steady, but typical number of Section 337 complaints filed in the first half of 2020, the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) saw a dramatic increase in July. Twelve new complaints were filed, representing the second largest number of complaints ever filed in one month. Our colleague Adam Hess explains the reason behind this … Continue Reading

USITC Refuses Case for Early Disposition Pilot Program

The US International Trade Commission (USITC) recently denied a respondents’ request to enter Certain Shaving Cartridges, Components Thereof and Products Containing Same, Inv. No. 337-TA-1079, Order (Oct. 25, 2017) into the early disposition pilot program. Our sister publication, the Global IP & Technology Law Blog, looks into the decision here.… Continue Reading

Defaulters Beware: ITC Exclusion Order Survives District Court Non-Infringement Ruling

In the investigation of Certain Beverage Brewing Capsules, Components, Thereof, and Products Containing Same, Inv. No. 337-TA-929, the US International Trade Commission (ITC) recently issued a decision in which it declined to rescind an exclusion order issued against a defaulted party despite a district court’s summary judgment ruling that the party did not infringe the … Continue Reading

USITC to Review ALJ Section 337 Enforcement Decision on Network Devices

According to a US International Trade Commission (USITC) notice published on August 4, 2017, the USITC has determined to remand an initial enforcement decision issued by an administrative law judge (ALJ) in the enforcement proceeding in Certain Network Devices, Related Software, and Components Thereof, Inv. No. 337-TA-944. The decision by USITC could instigate additional rulings … Continue Reading

Hoverboard Imports Can Continue, Says USITC

Hoverboard had its first claim to fame as a fictional levitation transport device in Back to the Future. In the real world today, the hoverboard has become a popular consumer product that was recently involved in a highly watched US International Trade Commission (USITC) Section 337 investigation. In short, the US claimants initially alleged that 28 … Continue Reading

Federal Circuit Hands Out Decisions for the ITC on Invalidity Holdings

Following on our prior blog post on Certain Beverage Brewing Capsules, Components Thereof, and Products Containing Same, Inv. No. 337-TA-929, the Federal Circuit has recently ruled on an appeal of that case as well as one in Certain Wireless Headsets, 337-TA-943, both involving findings of patent invalidity. Continue reading on our sister blog, Global IP … Continue Reading

USITC ALJ Shaw Finds Claims Patent-Ineligible After Fast-Track Hearing On Section 101 Issues

In the first-ever hearing on a patent issue under the United States International Trade Commission’s (USITC) Pilot Program for early case disposition, ALJ Shaw has found (Inv. No. 337-TA-994) that the asserted claims of the sole patent-in-suit fail to recite patent-eligible subject matter under 35 U.S.C. § 101.  As we reported in a previous blog post, the USITC, … Continue Reading

ITC Affirms Summary Determinations of Patent Invalidity Based on Indefiniteness in Wireless Headsets and Automated Teller Machines

In what appears to be something of a trend in favor of summary dispositions, the International Trade Commission (ITC) has affirmed summary determination rulings of patent invalidity in two, separate investigations: Certain Wireless Headsets, Inv. No. 337-TA-943 and Certain Automated Teller Machines and Point of Sale Devices and Associated Software Thereof, Inv. No. 337-TA-958. The … Continue Reading

ITC Designates Newly-Instituted Section 337 Investigation For Fast-Track Hearing On Section 101 Issues

In yet another significant development at the ITC on Section 101 issues, the Commission has ordered an early hearing in a newly-instituted Section 337 investigation as to whether the asserted claims of the sole patent-in-suit recite patent-eligible subject matter under 35 U.S.C. § 101.  The case—Certain Portable Electronic Devices and Components Thereof, Inv. No. 337-TA-994—involves, according to … Continue Reading

ALJ Lord Grants Summary Determination of Section 101 Invalidity On A Second Batch Of Patents In Tracking Devices

As an update to our April 13, 2016 blog post, US International Trade Commission administrative law judge (ALJ) Dee Lord has granted summary determination that the asserted claims of two of Jawbone’s remaining patents in its Section 337 action against Fitbit are directed to ineligible subject matter under 35 U.S.C. § 101.  Certain Activity Tracking Devices, … Continue Reading

ITC To Consider Whether Laches Is An Available Defense In Section 337 Investigations

In a recent notice to review an ALJ’s determination finding a violation of Section 337, the ITC has requested briefing on whether a laches defense is available in Section 337 investigations in view of the Federal Circuit’s recent decision in SCA Hygiene Prods v. First Quality Baby Prods., 807 F.3d 1311 (Fed. Cir. 2015) (en … Continue Reading

ITC Adopts Summary Determination of Section 101 Invalidity In Tracking Devices and Finds Asserted Patent Claims Invalid Under Section 112 In Brewing Capsules

In the past two weeks, the ITC has made patent invalidity determinations in two Section 337 investigations, each of which is noteworthy in its own right. In Certain Activity Tracking Devices, Systems, and Components Thereof, Inv. No. 337-TA-963, the Commission affirmed ALJ Lord’s summary determination that the asserted claims of two of the patents-in-suit are invalid … Continue Reading

ITC Powerless To Regulate Electronic Importation of Digital Files Used In 3D Printing

In a case much-watched by the entertainment and software industries for its potential impact on the internet, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has held that the U.S. International Trade Commission’s authority to regulate imported “articles that infringe” U.S. intellectual property rights does not extend to the “electronic transmission of digital data.”  By … Continue Reading
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