Patent Investigation Initiated upon Canon Case

The US International Trade Commission (ITC) has begun an investigation into the patent issue revolving toner cartridges from over 30 electronics companies based in China and United States.

China Daily reports, the investigation is in response to a complaint filed by Canon and its US subsidiaries on May 7, alleging that these companies being investigated had infringed its patents related to certain toner cartridges, violating the Section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930. Hence, Canon requested a general exclusion order from ITC as well as cease and desist orders against the products involved.

In a statement, the bipartisan trade panel said, “The products at issue in this investigation are replaceable monochrome toner cartridges and replaceable color toner cartridges for use in laser beam printers and other laser printing machines.”

Despite the probe, no decision of the case has been made yet. As was revealed by China Daily, the panel will set a deadline for the investigation within 45 days.

Section 337 investigations concerns allegations of patent or registered trademark infringement, and also involve abuse of trade secrets, false advertising, and violation of the antitrust laws.