概览
大型企业纷纷求助于美国国际贸易委员会（ITC），以期解决其知识产权争议。相比美国联邦法院，ITC拥有若干核心优势，包括：调查申诉时高速快捷的流程；排除令（exclusion orders）等强有力的救济措施，而联邦法院并不能发出排除令。上述诉讼被称为“337调查”，绝大多数案件都涉及知识产权，包括指控进口商品侵犯专利权（包括实用新型专利及外观设计专利）及商标权（注册商标或受普通法保护的商标）。企业亦能够对进口货物提出其他形式的不公平竞争主张，包括反垄断申诉。337调查最主要的救济措施就是排除令，ITC发布命令，要求美国海关及边境保卫局（U.S. Customs and Border Protection）禁止货物进口到美国。企业亦可以申请停止令（cease-and-desist orders），禁止在美国销售已进口的侵权商品，或通过临时排除令（temporary exclusion orders）及停止令获得加速救济。
执业经验
- Computer Forensic Devices and Products Containing Same, Inv. No. 337-TA-799. Represented respondent, CRU Acquisition Group, in Section 337 patent case involving computer forensic devices used by law enforcement agencies. After a week-long trial in August 2012, the ALJ issued, on October 26, 2012, an initial determination finding no violation of Section 337. The complainant chose not to appeal the decision, resulting in a decisive victory for our client.
- Coenzyme Q10 Products and Methods of Making Same, Inv. No. 337-TA-790. Representing, as lead counsel, Zhejiang Medicine Co., Ltd. in a patent case under Section 337 involving Coenzyme Q10, one of the top-selling dietary supplements in the United States. The case was brought by Kaneka Corporation, a huge Japanese conglomerate. After a week-long trial in July 2012, the ALJ issued, on September 27, 2012, an initial determination finding no infringement by ZMC and no domestic industry. Kaneka appealed the ALJ’s decision to the full Commission. On November 29, 2012, the Commission issued a notice affirming the ALJ’s ruling and terminating the investigation with a finding of no violation by ZMC.
- Wind and Solar-Powered Light Posts and Street Lamps, Inv. No. 337-TA-736. Represented three respondents in Canada in design patent case involving wind and solar powered light posts. Investigation was terminated with no finding of violation based on withdrawal of complaint.
- Toner Cartridges and Components Thereof, Inv. No. 337-TA-731. Served as lead counsel for several respondents, including Seine and Ninestar, the largest remanufacturers of toner and inkjet cartridges in the world, in an ITC investigation alleging patent infringement brought by Canon. The case settled, with no admission of liability, after extensive discovery and submission of expert reports.
