iRobot Complaint Leads to Vacuum Robot Patent Probe

The US International Trade Commission (USITC) voted to institute an investigation into alleged patent infringement in robotic vacuum cleaning devices and their components by multiple companies following a complaint by iRobot Corporation of Bedford, MA.

Respondents include Bissell Homecare, Hoover Inc and Black and Decker.

“The complaint alleges violations of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 in the importation into the United States and sale of certain robotic vacuum cleaning devices and components thereof such as spare parts infringe patents asserted by the complainant,” said the USITC.

“The complainant requests that the USITC issue a limited exclusion order and cease and desist orders.”

Glen Weinstein, chief legal officer of iRobot, said: “iRobot is pleased with the ITC’s decision to investigate the alleged infringement by these respondents and looks forward to a prompt and expeditious decision from the ITC.”

The USITC identified the following as respondents in this investigation:

Bissell Homecare, Inc., of Grand Rapids, MI;
Hoover Inc. of Glenwillow, OH;
Royal Appliance Manufacturing Co. Inc. of Glenwillow, OH;
Bobsweep, Inc., of Toronto, Ontario, Canada;
Bobsweep USA of Henderson, NV;
The Black and Decker Corporation of Towson, MD;
Black and Decker (U.S.) Inc. of Towson, MD;
Shenzhen ZhiYi Technology Co., Ltd., of Shenzhen, People’s Republic of China;
Matsutek Enterprises Co., Ltd., of New Taipei City, Taiwan;
Suzhou Real Power Electric Appliance Co., Ltd., of Suzhou, People’s Republic of China; and
Shenzhen Silver Star Intelligent Technology Co., Inc., of Shenzhen, People’s Republic of China.

Source: IP Strategy News

Editor: Camila (camila@iprdaily.com)