The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) has voted to institute an investigation of certain electronic devices, including wireless communication devices, computers, tablet computers, digital media players, and cameras.  The products at issue in the investigation include smartphones, tablet computers, digital media players, and smartwatches.

The investigation is based on a complaint filed by Ericsson Inc., of Plano, TX, and Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson of Stockholm, Sweden, on February 26, 2015.  The complaint alleges violations of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 in the importation into the United States and sale of certain electronic devices, including wireless communication devices, computers, tablet computers, digital media players, and cameras that infringe patents asserted by the complainants.  The complainants request that the USITC issue a limited exclusion order and a cease and desist order.

The USITC has identified Apple, Inc., a/k/a Apple Computer, Inc., of Cupertino, CA, as the respondent in this investigation.

By instituting this investigation (337-TA-952), the USITC has not yet made any decision on the merits of the case.  The USITC’s Chief Administrative Law Judge will assign the case to one of the USITC’s administrative law judges (ALJ), who will schedule and hold an evidentiary hearing.  The ALJ will make an initial determination as to whether there is a violation of section 337; that initial determination is subject to review by the Commission.

The USITC will make a final determination in the investigation at the earliest practicable time.  Within 45 days after institution of the investigation, the USITC will set a target date for completing the investigation.  USITC remedial orders in section 337 cases are effective when issued and become final 60 days after issuance unless disapproved for policy reasons by the U.S. Trade Representative within that 60-day period.

The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) has voted to institute an investigation of certain cameras and mobile devices, related software and firmware, and components thereof and products containing the same. The products at issue in this investigation are certain cameras and mobile devices with software and firmware that can be used to combine portions of individual captured images to give a sense of depth to the images.

The investigation is based on a complaint filed by HumanEyes Technologies, Ltd., of Israel, on March 29, 2012. A supplement to the Complaint was filed on April 18, 2012. The complaint alleges violations of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 in the importation into the United States and sale of certain cameras and mobile devices, related software and firmware, and components thereof and products containing the same that infringe patents asserted by HumanEyes. The complainant requests that the USITC issue an exclusion order and a cease and desist order.

The USITC has identified the following as respondents in this investigation:

Sony Corporation of Japan;
Sony Corporation of America of New York, NY;
Sony Electronics, Inc., of San Diego, CA;
Sony Mobile Communications AB of the United Kingdom; and
Sony Mobile Communications (USA) Inc. of Atlanta, GA.

By instituting this investigation (337-TA-842), the USITC has not yet made any decision on the merits of the case. The USITC's Chief Administrative Law Judge will assign the case to one of the USITC's six administrative law judges (ALJ), who will schedule and hold an evidentiary hearing. The ALJ will make an initial determination as to whether there is a violation of section 337; that initial determination is subject to review by the Commission.

The USITC will make a final determination in the investigation at the earliest practicable time. Within 45 days after institution of the investigation, the USITC will set a target date for completing the investigation. USITC remedial orders in section 337 cases are effective when issued and become final 60 days after issuance unless disapproved for policy reasons by the U.S. Trade Representative within that 60-day period.