ITC Institutes Patent Investigation of Data Storage Products Against Cisco, Dell, Etc.
The International Trade Commission has instituted a section 337 patent-based investigation of certain data storage products and components thereof pursuant to a complaint.
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(The products at issue in this investigation are products for receiving and storing digital data.)
Exclusion and Cease & Desist Orders Requested
The investigation is based on a complaint filed by Data Network Storage, LLC, of Newport Beach, CA, which alleges violations of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 in the importation into the U.S. and sale of certain data storage products and components thereof that infringe a patent asserted by the complainant.
The complainant requests that the ITC issue an exclusion order and cease and desist orders.
Companies Alleged to Be in Violation of Section 337
The ITC has identified the following respondents alleged to be in violation of section 337 in this investigation:
- Cisco Systems, Inc., of San Jose, CA;
- Dell, Inc., of Round Rock, TX;
- Dot Hill Systems Corp. of Longmont, CO;
- International Business Machines Corporation of Armonk, NY;
- NetApp, Inc., of Sunnyvale, CA;
- QNAP Systems, Inc., of Pomona, CA
- Xyratex (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd of Malaysia;
- Xyratex International Inc. of West Sacramento, CA; and
- Xyratex, Ltd., of Fremont, CA
ALJ to Determine if Violation Occurred
By instituting this investigation, the ITC has not yet made any decision on the merits of the case. The case will be referred to an ITC administrative law judge (ALJ), who will make an initial determination as to whether there is a violation of section 337, which is subject to review by the ITC.
(Within 45 days after institution of the investigation, the ITC will set a target date for completing the investigation. ITC 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.)
(Press release dated 11/18/10, Inv. No. 337-TA-748)