Brother USITC investigation update
November 28, 2019
More respondents have filed answers to the USITC investigation 337-TA-1174.
Back in September, the United States International Trade Commission (USITC) voted to institute an investigation of certain toner cartridges, components thereof, and systems containing same based on the complaint filed by Brother on 19 August, more respondents have been found in default, entered consent orders and agreed to protective orders.
The complaint alleges violations of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 in the importation into the United States and sale of certain toner cartridges, components thereof, and systems containing same that infringe patents asserted by the complainants. The complainants request that the USITC issue a general exclusion order, or in the alternative a limited exclusion order, and cease and desist orders.
Brother and Triple Best LLC have submitted a consent order stipulation and a proposed consent order. The consent order amongst other things, requests that “Triple Best shall not sell for importation, import, or sell after importation the Subject Articles, directly or indirectly, and shall not aid, abet, encourage, participate in, or induce the sale for importation, the importation, or the sale after importation except under consent or license from Brother” and also asks for any stock that is already in the US “will be exported or destroyed within 30 days” of the consent order coming into effect.
Brother also moved for an initial determination finding a further nine respondents in default due to their failure to respond to the ALJ’s order to show cause. These nine respondents are named as:
- Billiontree Technology USA Inc. (“Billiontree”);
- Carlos Imaging Supplies, Inc. (“Carlos Imaging”);
- Eco Imaging Inc. (“Eco Imaging”);
- Hongkong Boze Co., Ltd. (“Hongkong Boze”);
- Ikong E-Commerce, Inc. (“Ikong”);
- IPrint Enterprise Limited (“IPrint”);
- Mangoket LLC (“Mangoket”);
- Smartjet E-Commerce Co., LLC (“Smartjet”); and
- Super Warehouse Inc. (“Super Warehouse”)
AMI Brothers, Inc., Cartridge Evolution, Inc., E-Z Ink Inc., Globest Trading, Inc., Linkyo Corp., Theresa Meng and V4ink, Inc. have filed a Protective Order to ensure that information submitted in response to this request for information and throughout this investigation or other proceeding may be disclosed to and used confidentially.
Categories : Around the Industry
Tags : Brother Counterfeit IP USITC
