Computer firms named in infringement complaint

Tela Innovations named Acer, Asus, Lenovo and others in a complaint to the ITC alleging infringement of companies’ imports on Tela’s intellectual property rights.    The International Trade Commission on Dec. 19 received a complaint from Los Gatos, Calif.-based Tela Innovations Inc. seeking relief under Section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 for alleged intellectual property law violations by the importation, sale for importation and sale within the United States after importation of certain integrated circuits and products containing the same, the ITC said.
   Named as respondents were Taiwan-based Acer Inc., San Jose-based Acer America Corp., Taiwan-based AsusTek Computer Inc., Fremont, Calif.-based Asus Computer International, Santa Clara, Calif.-based Intel Corp., China-based Lenovo Group Ltd., Morrisville, N.C.-based Lenovo Inc., Taiwan-based Micro-Star International Co. Ltd. and City of Industry, Calif.-based MSI Computer Corp.
   Tela is seeking a limited exclusion order on imports of certain integrated circuits and related products, cease-and-desist orders on their sale and imposition of a bond during the ITC’s 60-day review period.
   ITC remedy orders in Section 337 cases are effective upon issuance and become final 60 days later, unless disapproved for policy reasons by the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative within that two-month period.
   The ITC is seeking comments on any public interest issues raised by the complaint no later than by the close of business on Jan. 4.
   Section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 declares infringement of a U.S. patent, copyright, registered trademark or mask work to be unlawful in import trade. The provision also holds as unlawful other unfair methods of competition and unfair acts in the importation and subsequent sale of products in the United States, the threat or effect of which is to destroy or substantially injure a domestic industry, prevent establishment of such an industry or restrain or monopolize U.S. trade and commerce.
   If it finds violations under the statute, the ITC may issue orders prohibiting the importation of certain products into the United States.