ITC looking into wireless mesh

Commission received petition from Sipco LLC on Aug. 6, to consider a limited exclusion order on such imports.    The International Trade Commission will start an investigation into whether imports of certain wireless mesh networking products and related components thereof violate U.S. intellectual property rights law, the ITC announced.
   On Monday, the ITC received a complaint on behalf of Ashburn, Va.-based Sipco LLC alleging violations of Section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 in the importation into the United States and sale of certain wireless mesh networking products and related components thereof.
   Sipco named as respondents several divisions associated with St. Louis-based Emerson Electric Co. and Lake Success, N.Y.-based Tadiran Batteries Inc., as well as Norwood, Mass.-based Analog Devices Inc., Milpitas, Calif.-based Linear Technology LLC and Union City, Calif.-based Dust Networks Inc.
   Sipco is requesting a limited exclusion order on imports of certain wireless mesh networking products and related components thereof, 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.
   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 U.S., 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.