The US International Trade Commission will start an investigation of certain wearable monitoring devices, systems, and components following allegations of patent violations by Philips and its North America unit. USITC said its scrutiny concerns Fitbit, Garmin International, Garmin USA, Garmin Ltd, Ingram Micro, Maintek Computer (Suzhou), and Inventec Appliances (Pudong) of Shanghai, China.
In its defence, Fitbit told news agency Reuters that it believes these claims are without merit and a result of Philips’ failure to succeed in the wearables market. It added that it would defend itself against all allegations made in the complaint to the ITC.
The investigation is based on a complaint filed by Philips North America and Royal Philips on 10 December 2019, USITC said. The complaint alleges violations of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 in the importation into the US and sale of certain wearable monitoring devices, systems, and components thereof that infringe patents asserted by the complainants. The complainants demand the USITC to issue a limited exclusion order and cease and desist orders.
