Wongo Evolved Wireless,
Also Filed in Texas Federal District Court
[Asia Economy Reporter Cha Min-young] The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) announced on the 2nd (local time) that it has launched an investigation into Samsung Electronics' headquarters in Korea and its U.S. subsidiary for alleged patent infringement related to LTE-compatible devices such as smartphones, tablet PCs, and smartwatches.
The U.S. ITC stated on its website and in the Federal Register that it is initiating an investigation against Samsung Electronics for violating Section 337 of the Tariff Act. Section 337 contains provisions for sanctions against unfair practices in importation.
This follows a request made on the 1st of last month by Evolved Wireless, headquartered in Austin, Texas, for an investigation against Samsung Electronics' U.S. and Korean subsidiaries, as well as Motorola Mobility. On the same day, the plaintiff also filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the District of Texas seeking damages and royalty payments for patent infringement.
Evolved Wireless claims that defendants Samsung Electronics and Motorola infringed on patents held by the plaintiff in the U.S. during the import and sale of LTE-compatible devices such as smartphones, tablet PCs, and smartwatches. They also requested the ITC to issue an exclusion order to block the importation of the relevant products into the U.S.
According to the plaintiff's complaint, the patents Samsung is accused of infringing include 'RE46679', 'RE48326', and '10517120'. The plaintiff pointed out the use of Qualcomm's communication (baseband) chipsets as an issue. The targeted products include most Samsung products such as the Galaxy A series, Galaxy S series, Galaxy Book, Galaxy Z Flip, new smartphones, Galaxy Tab, and Galaxy Watch. The products were collectively included as they follow the same LTE standards and design.
The ITC, which has jurisdiction over intellectual property and patent disputes in the U.S., must investigate alleged violations based on petitions or self-initiated matters. It must also set a target date for a final decision within 45 days after the investigation begins.
A Samsung Electronics official said, "It is difficult to comment on matters currently under investigation."
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