ITC launches 337 investigation into wearable devices, including two Chinese companies

Recently, the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) decided to initiate a 337 investigation into wearable monitoring devices, systems, and their components.

It is reported that the ITC will determine the end date of the investigation 45 days after the case is filed. Except for the case where the US Trade Representative vetoes it for policy reasons, the relief order issued by the ITC in the 337 case will be final from the 60th day after the date of issuance.

Philips North America of the United States and Koninklijke Philips NV of the Netherlands filed a lawsuit with the ITC pursuant to Section 337 of the U.S. Tariff Act of 1930, alleging that the above-mentioned products exported to, imported into, and sold in the United States infringe their patent rights, and requested the ITC to issue a limited exclusion order and a cease and desist order.

In addition, other wearable device companies are also under investigation, including two Chinese companies: Mingshuo Computer (Suzhou) Co., Ltd. and Inventec (Shanghai) Technology Co., Ltd.

It is understood that wearable devices are portable devices that are worn directly on the body or integrated into the user's clothes or accessories. Wearable devices are not just hardware devices, but also realize powerful functions through software support, data interaction, and cloud interaction. Wearable devices will bring great changes to our lives and perceptions.

Wearable devices mostly exist in the form of portable accessories with partial computing functions and can be connected to mobile phones and various terminals. The mainstream product forms include watches supported by the wrist (including watches and wristbands, etc.), shoes supported by the feet (including shoes, socks or other leg-worn products in the future), glasses supported by the head (including glasses, helmets, headbands, etc.), as well as various non-mainstream product forms such as smart clothing, backpacks, crutches, accessories, etc.