CYPRESS, Calif. – The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) voted to investigate whether the tiremakers and sellers named in a Toyo Tire Holdings of America action infringed on one or more of its design patents.
On Aug. 14, Toyo filed a formal complaint against 22 tiremakers and tire importers, accusing them of violating the company’s U.S. design patents held on various passenger and light truck/SUV tires.
An administrative law judge must make the initial determination whether there is a violation under section 377 of the Tariff Act of 1930, as ordered by the ITC. A target completion date for the investigation will be set within 45 days by the administrative law judge.
The ITC will make the final determination of the investigation at the earliest time it can, with an investigation typically completed within 13 to 15 months.
