The U.S. International Trade Commission voted Sept. 11 to investigate a claim made by LG Electronics that some imported displays, including flat panel TVs, infringe upon its patents.
LG Electronics filed a complaint with the commission Aug. 12. Currently, the USITC plans to investigate Funai Electric Company, of Japan; Funai of Rutherford, NJ; P&F USA, of Alpharetta, GA; and Vizio of Irvine, CA.
Voting to launch the investigation does not indicate the commission has made any decisions regarding the merits of the case. A USTIC Chief Administrative Law Judge will assign the case to one of the commission's six administrative law judges (ALJ), who will schedule and hold an evidentiary hearing. The ALJ will make an initial determination as to whether there is a violation, which is subject to review by the commission.
