US trade authority opens patent probe into integrated circuits products

The US International Trade Commission (ITC) on Friday initiated a patent investigation into certain integrated circuits and products containing the same from 32 companies based in several countries and regions including China, the United States, Japan and Mexico.

"The products at issue in this investigation are integrated circuits and products containing the same, including wireless communication devices, wireless phones, televisions, optical disk players, tablets, and other products," the bipartisan trade panel said in a statement.

The investigation is based on a complaint filed by Freescale Semiconductor Inc., based in Texas, on May 12, 2014, alleging that those companies had infringed upon its patents related to above products and violated the Section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930, the panel said.

The company requested the ITC to issue a general exclusion order, or in the alternative a limited exclusion order, and cease and desist orders against those products.

The investigation does not mean the panel has made any decision on the merits of the case. Within 45 days, the panel will set a target date for completing the investigation. Should the complaint be approved, the panel will issue an import ban on infringing products and bar the sale of products within the United States.

Section 337 investigations focus on allegations of patent or registered trademark infringement, and also involve misappropriation of aspects such as trade secrets, false advertising, and violation of the antitrust laws.

As it is quicker, cheaper and more practical to win the patent cases in the ITC than in the US courts, American companies increasingly tap the ITC's authority on patent cases to tamp down their competitors.