The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) voted to institute an investigation of certain active matrix organic light-emitting diode display panels and modules for mobile devices, and components thereof.  The products at issue in the investigation are described in the Commission’s notice of investigation.

The investigation is based on a complaint filed by Samsung Display Co., Ltd. of Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea on December 28, 2022, and supplemented on January 17, 2023.  The complaint alleges violations of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 in the importation into the United States and sale of certain active matrix organic light-emitting diode display panels and modules for mobile devices, and components thereof that infringe patents asserted by the complainant.  The complainant requests that the USITC issue a general exclusion order (or, in the alternative, limited exclusion orders) and cease and desist orders.  

The USITC has identified the following respondents in this investigation:

• Apt-Ability, LLC d/b/a MobileSentrix of Chantilly, VA; 
• Mobile Defenders, LLC of Caledonia, MI; 
• Injured Gadgets, LLC of Norcross, GA; 
• Group Vertical, LLC of Grand Rapids, MI; 
• Electronics Universe, Inc. d/b/a Fixez.com of Las Vegas, NV; 
• Electronics Universe, Inc. d/b/a Repairs Universe, LLC of Las Vegas, NV; 
• LCTech International Inc. d/b/a SEGMobile.com of City of Industry, CA; 
• Sourcely Plus LLC of Tempe, AZ; 
• eTech Parts Plus, LLC of Southlake, TX; 
• Parts4Cells, Inc. of Houston, TX; 
• Wholesale Gadget Parts, Inc. of Bixby, OK; 
• Captain Mobile Parts Inc.of Dallas, TX; 
• DFW Imports LLC d/b/a DFW Cellphone and Parts of Dallas, TX; 
• Phone LCD Parts LLC of Wayne, NJ; 
• Parts4LCDof Wayne of NJ; 
• Mengtor Inc. of El Monte, CA; and
• Gadgetfix Corp. of Irvine, CA.

By instituting this investigation (337-TA-1351), the USITC has not yet made any decision on the merits of the case.  The USITC’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; that initial determination is subject to review by the Commission. 

The USITC will make a final determination in the investigation at the earliest practicable time.  Within 45 days after institution of the investigation, the USITC will set a target date for completing the investigation.  USITC remedial orders in section 337 cases are effective when issued and become final 60 days after issuance unless disapproved for policy reasons by the U.S. Trade Representative within that 60-day period.

Original source can be found here.