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News Release 17-073
Inv. No(s). 37-TA-1057
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819
The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) has voted to institute an investigation of certain robotic vacuum cleaning devices and components thereof such as spare parts. The products at issue in the investigation are autonomous vacuum cleaners that clean a designated area without human intervention.
The investigation is based on a complaint filed by iRobot Corporation of Bedford, MA, on April 18, 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 robotic vacuum cleaning devices and components thereof such as spare parts 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:
Bissell Homecare, Inc., of Grand Rapids, MI;
Hoover Inc. of Glenwillow, OH;
Royal Appliance Manufacturing Co. Inc. of Glenwillow, OH;
Bobsweep, Inc., of Toronto, Ontario, Canada;
Bobsweep USA of Henderson, NV;
The Black and Decker Corporation of Towson, MD;
Black and Decker (U.S.) Inc. of Towson, MD;
Shenzhen ZhiYi Technology Co., Ltd., of Shenzhen, People’s Republic of China;
Matsutek Enterprises Co., Ltd., of New Taipei City, Taiwan;
Suzhou Real Power Electric Appliance Co., Ltd., of Suzhou, People’s Republic of China; and
Shenzhen Silver Star Intelligent Technology Co., Inc., of Shenzhen, People’s Republic of China.
By instituting this investigation (337-TA-1057), 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.