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The United States International Trade Commission (ITC) is a quasi-judicial agency with broad investigative powers relating to trade practices.  These powers include the ability to investigate unfair trade practices relating to the importation of products that infringe valid U.S. patents — so-called “Section 337 actions” (Section 337 actions can encompass other conduct, but are commonly used to target patent infringement).  But because the ITC may only issue injunctive relief (via exclusion orders and cease & desist orders), and cannot award monetary damages, the assertion of standard-essential patents in Section 337 actions has become a subject of great debate.  Within about a month, the Commission will issue a Final Determination in Investigation No. 337-TA-794 (involving Samsung and Apple) that may address the propriety of asserting FRAND-pledged SEPs in Section 337 actions.  In the meantime, however, there are several ongoing ITC investigations where standard-essential patents are being asserted.  Below is a brief summary of where each of these cases currently stand:

Inv. No. 337-TA-794: Certain Electronic Devices, Including Wireless Communication Devices, Portable Music and Data Processing Devices, and Tablet Computers 

  • Complainant: Samsung
  • Respondent: Apple
  • Standards: 3G telecommunications standards
  • Status: Awaiting Final Determination (due by Mar. 7, 2013)

Inv. No. 337-TA-800: Certain Wireless Devices with 3G Capabilities and Components Thereof 

  • Complainant: InterDigital
  • Respondents: Huawei, Nokia, ZTE
  • Standards: 3G telecommunications standards
  • Status: Hearing scheduled for Feb. 12-22, 2013.

Inv. No. 337-TA-837: Certain Audiovisual Components and Products Containing the Same 

  • Complainants: LSI Corp. and Agere Systems
  • Respondents: Funai, MediaTek, Ralink, Realtek Semiconductor
  • Standards: IEEE 802.11 wireless networking and ITU-T AVC/H.264 video coding standards
  • Status: Expert discovery ongoing; hearing scheduled for Apr. 2-10, 2013.

Inv. No. 337-TA-862: Certain Electronic Devices, Including Wireless Communication Devices, Tablet Computers, Media Players, and Televisions, and Components Thereof 

  • Complainant: Ericsson
  • Respondent: Samsung
  • Standards: 3G/4G telecommunications standards
  • Status: Discovery ongoing; hearing scheduled for Aug. 13-20, 2013.

Inv. No. 337-TA-866: Certain Wireless Communications Equipment and Articles Therein 

  • Complainant: Samsung
  • Respondent: Ericsson
  • Standards: 3G/4G telecommunications standards
  • Status: Investigation instituted Jan. 25, 2013; awaiting Ericsson’s response to the institution of the investigation and answer to the complaint.

Inv. No. 337-TA-868: Certain Wireless Devices with 3G and/or 4G Capabilities and Components Thereof 

  • Complainant: InterDigital
  • Respondent: Samsung, Huawei, Nokia, ZTE
  • Standards: 3G/4G telecommunications standards
  • Status: Investigation instituted Jan. 31, 2013; awaiting respondents’ response to the institution of the investigation and answer to the complaint.

Inv. No. 337-TA-2934 (pre-institution): Certain Wireless Communications Base Stations and Components Thereof

  • Complainant: Adaptix, Inc.
  • Respondent: Samsung
  • Standards: 4G LTE telecommunications standard (allegedly non-FRAND-encumbered)
  • Status: Complaint filed Jan. 24, 2013; ITC has solicited comments relating to the public interest, and decision on instituting investigation is pending.