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January 3, 2018

News Release 18-003

Inv. No(s). 337-TA-1093

Contact: Peg O'Laughlin , 202-205-1819

USITC Institutes Section 337 Investigation of Certain Mobile Electronic Devices and Radio Frequency and Processing Components Thereof (II)

The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) has voted to institute an investigation of certain mobile electronic devices and radio frequency and processing components thereof.  The products at issue in the investigation are primarily certain smartphone models offered by Apple, Inc. that incorporate technologies to enhance carrier aggregation functionality, power-efficient radio frequency (RF) signal reception, power-efficient processor and memory architectures, and image processing.

The investigation is based on a complaint filed by Qualcomm Incorporated of San Diego, CA, on November 30, 2017.  The complaint alleges violations of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 in the importation into the United States and sale of certain mobile electronic devices and radio frequency and processing components thereof that infringe patents asserted by the complainant.  The complainant requests that the USITC issue a limited exclusion order and a cease and desist order.

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

By instituting this investigation (337-TA-1093), 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.

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June 7, 2016

News Release 16-064

Inv. No(s). 337-TA-1004

Contact: Peg O'Laughlin , 202-205-1819

USITC Institutes Section 337 Investigation of Certain Mobile and Portable Electronic Devices Incorporating Haptics (Including Smartphones and Laptops) and Components Thereof

The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) has voted to institute an investigation of certain mobile and portable electronic devices incorporating haptics (including smartphones and laptops) and components thereof.  The products at issue in the investigation are smartphones and laptops.   

The investigation is based on a complaint filed by Immersion Corporation of San Jose, CA, on May 5, 2016 and supplements thereto.  The complaint, as supplemented, alleges violations of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 in the importation into the United States and sale of certain mobile and portable electronic devices incorporating haptics (including smartphones and laptops) and components thereof that infringe patents asserted by the complaint.  The complainant requests that the USITC issue a limited exclusion order and cease and desist orders.

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

Apple Inc. of Cupertino, CA; and
AT&T Mobility LLC of Atlanta, GA.

By instituting this investigation (337-TA-1004), 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.

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March 15, 2016

News Release 16-031

Inv. No(s). 337-TA-990

Contact: Peg O'Laughlin , 202-205-1819

USITC Institutes Section 337 Invstigation of Certain Mobile Devices Incorporating Haptics (Including Smartphones and Smartwatches) and Components Thereof

The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) has voted to institute an investigation of certain mobile devices incorporating haptics (including smartphones and smartwatches) and components thereof.  The products at issue in the investigation are smartphones and smartwatches.

The investigation is based on a complaint filed by Immersion Corporation of San Jose, CA, on February 11, 2016.  The complaint alleges violations of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 in the importation into the United States and sale of certain mobile devices incorporating haptics (including smartphones and smartwatches) and components thereof that infringe patents asserted by the complainant.  The complainant requests that the USITC issue a limited exclusion order and cease and desist orders.

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

Apple Inc. of Cupertino, CA;
AT&T Inc. of Dallas, TX; and
AT&T Mobility LLC of Atlanta, GA.

By instituting this investigation (337-TA-990), 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.

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May 20, 2015

News Release 15-043

Inv. No(s). 337-TA-957

Contact: Peg O'Laughlin , 202-205-1819

USITC Institutes Section 337 Investigation of Certain Touchscreen Controllers and Products Containing the Same

The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) has voted to institute an investigation of certain touchscreen controllers and products containing the same.  The products at issue in the investigation include touchscreens and related technology that are typically incorporated into smartphones and other similar devices.

The investigation is based on a complaint filed by Synaptics Incorporated of San Jose, CA, on April 21, 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 touchscreen controllers and products containing the same that infringe patents asserted by the complainant.  The complainant requests that the USITC issue a limited exclusion order and cease and desist orders.

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

Shenzhen Huiding Technology Co., Ltd., a/k/a Shenzhen Goodix Technology Co., Ltd., of Futian Freetrade Zone, Shenzhen, China;
Goodix Technology Inc. of San Diego, CA; and
BLU Products, Inc. of Doral, FL.

By instituting this investigation (337-TA-957), 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.

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August 21, 2012

News Release 12-092

Inv. No(s). 337-TA-853

Contact: Peg O'Laughlin , 202-205-1819

USITC Institutes Section 337 Investigation on Certain Wireless Consumer Electronics Devices and Components Thereof

The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) has voted to institute an investigation of certain wireless consumer electronics devices and components thereof. The products at issue in this investigation are consumer electronic devices with wireless capabilities, such as electronic tablets, smartphones, e-readers, mobile hotspots, broadband wireless modems, and handheld game consoles.

The investigation is based on a complaint filed by Technology Properties Limited LLC and Phoenix Digital Solutions LLC of Cupertino, CA, and Patriot Scientific Corporation of Carlsbad, CA, on July 24, 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 wireless consumer electronics devices and components thereof that infringe a patent asserted by the complainants. The complainants request that the USITC issue an exclusion order and cease and desist orders.

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

Acer Inc. of Taiwan;
Acer America Corporation of San Jose, CA;
Amazon.com, Inc., of Seattle, WA;
Barnes & Noble, Inc., of New York, NY;
Garmin Ltd. of Switzerland;
Garmin International, Inc., of Olathe, KS;
Garmin USA, Inc., of Olathe, KS;
HTC Corporation of Taiwan;
HTC America of Bellvue, WA;
Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd., of China;
Huawei North America of Plano, TX;
Kyocera Corporation of Japan;
Kyocera Communications, Inc., of San Diego, CA;
LG Electronics, Inc., of the Republic of Korea;
LG Electronics U.S.A., Inc., of Englewood Cliffs, NJ;
Nintendo Co., Ltd., of Japan;
Nintendo of America, Inc., of Redmond, WA;
Novatel Wireless, Inc., of San Diego, CA;
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., of the Republic of Korea;
Samsung Electronics America, Inc., of Ridgefield Park, NJ;
Sierra Wireless, Inc., of Canada;
Sierra Wireless America, Inc., of Carlsbad, CA;
ZTE Corporation of China; and
ZTE (USA) Inc. of Richardson, TX.

By instituting this investigation (337-TA-853), 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.

 

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April 2, 2012

News Release 12-031

Inv. No(s). 337-TA-834

Contact: Peg O'Laughlin , 202-205-1819

USITC Institutes Section 337 Investigation on Certain Mobile Electronic Devices Incorporating Haptics

The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) has voted to institute an investigation of certain mobile devices incorporating haptics. The products at issue in this investigation are smartphones with a feature that signals the user when a key or icon has been touched, for example by vibrating or pulsing in response to the touch.

The investigation is based on a complaint filed by Immersion Corporation of San Jose, CA, on February 7, 2012. An amended complaint was filed on March 2, 2012 and a letter supplementing the complaint was filed on March 15, 2012. The complaint, as amended, alleges violations of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 in the importation into the United States and sale of certain mobile devices incorporating haptics that infringe patents asserted by Immersion Corporation. 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:

Motorola Mobility, Inc., of Libertyville, IL;
Motorola Mobility Holdings, Inc., of Libertyville, IL;
HTC Corporation of Taiwan; and
HTC America, Inc., of Bellevue, WA

By instituting this investigation (337-TA-834), 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.

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