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25 November 2022PatentsMuireann Bolger

Amazon faces USITC probe over smart TVs and ‘Fire’ brands

Commission halts imports after patent infringement allegation | Online retailer’s Fire tablets among products affected | Walt Disney | DivX | Vizio.

Amazon is facing an investigation by the US International Trade Commission (ITC) over the sale of imported smart televisions and tablets, including its blockbuster range of Fire tablet devices.

The Commission published the notice of investigation on Wednesday, November 23.

Tech company DivX, based in San Diego, California, filed a complaint on October 24, 2022, alleging that the e-commerce retailer had violated section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930.

DivX accused Amazon of infringing certain claims of five patents, US numbers 8,832,297; 7,295,673; 10,225,588; 11,102,553; and 11,050,808, which are currently licensed to Walt Disney.

The ITC has also identified technology distributor, Vizio, based in Irvine, California as a respondent in the investigation.

The company has asked that the USITC issue a limited exclusion order and a cease and desist order.

The ITC’s chief administrative law judge will assign the case to one of the USITC’s administrative law judges (ALJ), who will schedule and hold an evidentiary hearing.

The ALJ will make an initial determination as to whether there is a violation of section 337, and that initial determination is subject to review by the Commission.

WIPR has approached Amazon for comment.

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