The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) has voted to institute an investigation of certain ink cartridges and components thereof.  The products at issue in the investigations are ink cartridges, and components thereof, designed for use with certain Epson ink jet printers.

The investigation is based on a complaint filed by Epson Portland Inc. of Hillsboro, OR; Epson America, Inc., of Long Beach, CA; and Seiko Epson Corporation of Nagano, Japan, on December 23, 2014.  The complaint alleges violations of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 in the importation into the United States and sale of certain ink cartridges and components thereof that infringe patents asserted by the complainants.  The complainants request that the USITC issue a general exclusion order, or, alternatively, a limited exclusion order, and cease and desist orders.

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

Zhuhai Nano Digital Technology Co., Ltd., of Zhuhai, Guangdong, China; Nano Business & Technology, Inc., d/b/a Nano Digital, d/b/a Nano Ink Spot, d/b/a Dinsink, of Lake Oswego, OR;
Zhuhai National Resources & Jingjie Imaging Products Co., Ltd., d/b/a Ink-Tank, of Zhuhai, Guangdong, China;
Huebon Co., Ltd., of Sheung Wan, Hong Kong;
Chancen Co., Ltd., of Sheung Wan, Hong Kong;
Zhuhai Rich Imaging Technology Co., Ltd., of Zhuhai, Guangdong, China;
Shanghai Orink Infotech International Co., Ltd., of Shanghai, China;
Orink Infotech International Co., Ltd., of Causewat Bay, Hong Kong;
Zinyaw LLC d/b/a TonerPirate.com of Houston, TX;
Yotat Group Co., Ltd., of Kowloon, Hong Kong;
Yotat (Zhuhai) Technology Co., Ltd., of Xiangzhou, Zhuhai, China;
Ourway Image Co., Ltd., of Xiangzhou, Zhuhai, China;
Kingway Image Co., Ltd., of Zhuhai, China;
Zhuhai Chinamate Technology Co., Ltd., of Xiangzhou, Zhuhai, China;
InkPro2day, LLC, of Los Angeles, CA;
Dongguan OcBestjet Printer Consumables Co., Ltd., of Dongguan, China;
OcBestjet Printer Consumables (HK) Co., Ltd., of Hong Kong;
Aomya Printer Consumables (Zhuhai) Co., Ltd., of Xiangzhou, Zhuhai, Guangdong, China; and
Zhuhai Richeng Development Co., Ltd., d/b/a Richeng Technology, of Jida, Zhuhai, China.

By instituting this investigation (337-TA-946), 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.