The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) has voted to institute an investigation of certain robotic vacuum cleaning devices and components based on a complaint filed by iRobot Corporation, according to the company. The complaint, filed April 18 by iRobot, alleges infringement of six U.S. patents against several robotic vacuum manufacturers.
The ITC has identified Bissell Homecare, Hoover, Royal Appliance Manufacturing Co., Bobsweep, Inc., Bobsweep USA, The Black and Decker Corporation, Black and Decker U.S., Shenzhen ZhiYi Technology Co., Matsutek Enterprises Co., Suzhou Real Power Electric Appliance Co. and Shenzhen Silver Star Intelligent Technology Co. as respondents in the investigation.
According to iRobot, it has requested an exclusion order to halt the importation of the infringing products, as well as a cease-and-desist order to stop the sale and marketing of the infringing products into the U.S. iRobot has also filed patent infringement complaints against the respondents in the U.S. District of Massachusetts, which are currently pending.
The ITC stated that by instituting this investigation it has not yet made any decision on the merits of the case. Within 45 days after institution of the investigation, the ITC will set a target date for completing the investigation.
