U.S. launches trade probe on protective cases for electric devices

WASHINGTON, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) on Friday initiated a Section 337 investigation on certain Chinese- and American-produced cases for portable electric devices.

The agency did not specify alleged violations, but Section 337 investigations usually target allegations of patent infringement and trademark infringement by imported goods.

The products at issue are protective cases of smartphones, tablets and other electronic devices, and five Chinese and two U.S. companies have been identified as respondents, said the USITC in a statement.

The probe, said the federal bipartisan panel, is based on a complaint filed by a California-based design company in late September. The accuser claimed Section 337 violations and requested an exclusion order and cease and desist orders.

The institution of the investigation does not mean the USITC has made any decision on the merits of the case. With 45 days the body will set a target date for completing the investigation.

Should the complaint be approved, the panel will issue remedial orders, such as a ban on importation of accused products. These orders can be revoked if disapproved for policy reasons by the U.S. trade representative with 60 days of their issuance.

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