Powerful remedies, particularly General Exclusion Orders, are often cited as a reason why patent owners should consider asserting their patents at the U.S. International Trade Commission. Our colleagues, Adam Hess and Alex Wolcott, explain another reason – the potential for significant civil penalties (i.e., fines) assessed against an infringer who violates an ITC Consent Order. … Continue Reading
In a recent blog post, our colleague Adam Hess reviews the U.S. International Trade Commission’s (ITC) new pilot program to allow Administrative Law Judges to issue interim Initial Determinations on fewer than all issues in Section 337 investigations. The new pilot program process is similar to that used by the ITC to implement its “100-day … Continue Reading
The requirement of establishing a “domestic industry” in articles protected by a patent is a unique and important aspect of Section 337 litigation. Judge Shaw recently released an order denying the complainant’s request for summary judgment on the economic prong of the domestic industry requirement in Certain Road Milling Machines and Components Thereof, Inv. No. 337-TA-1067 … Continue Reading
On January 17, 2018, the US International Trade Commission’s (USITC) Notice of Institution designated Certain IOT Devices and Components Thereof (IOT, The Internet of Things)—Web Applications Displayed On A Browser, Inv. No. 337-TA-1094 for early disposition. This is just the sixth such designation the USITC has made since the program was implemented and comes after four … Continue Reading
The US International Trade Commission (USITC) denied requests to enter Certain Insulated Beverage Containers, Components, Labels, and Packaging Materials Thereof, Inv. No. 337-TA-1084 (Nov. 17, 2017); and the companion cases of Certain Color Intraoral Scanners and Related Hardware and Software, Inv. No. 337-TA-1090 and 337-TA-1091 (Dec. 14, 2017) into the USITC’s pilot program for early case disposition. Our sister publication, the Global IP & … Continue Reading
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
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
