USITC to investigate Facebook, Logitech
The US International Trade Commission is set to investigate optical data cables used by Facebook and Logitech, following a complaint from California-based Cosemi Technologies.
In an announcement shared yesterday, November 30, the ITC said it would begin its patent infringement investigation against Facebook, Logitech and two Chinese companies.
Cosemi—which describes itself as a “global leader in innovative, high-speed connectivity solutions”—filed a complaint with the ITC in late October, alleging that the four companies had violated section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 by importing and selling patent infringing optical cables.
The optical cables at issue include USB cables, HDMI cables, and display port cables. Products containing the cables are used to transfer data between source devices such as gaming consoles, computers, DVD and Blu-ray players, and cable boxes.
According to the complaint, the companies are infringing one or more of the following US patents: 8,948,197; 9,641,250; 9,971,115; and 9,979,479.
Facebook has been named in the complaint because of its allegedly infringing Oculus Quest Link headset cable, which is reportedly made by one of the Chinese companies listed. Oculus Quest is a virtual reality gaming system.
Through its complaint, Cosemi requested that the ITC issue an exclusion order to bar importation of the infringing parties’ products, and a cease-and-desist order to bar further sales.
At the time of filing the complaint, Nguyen Nguyen, Cosemi president and CEO, said: “We've spent years and millions of dollars in R&D which has culminated in a talented team and cutting-edge technology.
“Our efforts have resulted in over 60 patents, and we’ll take any steps necessary to ensure that foreign companies do not take advantage by simply copying and infringing on our IP.”
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