ITC Imposes Import Bans on Eight U.S. Tire Importers

The International Trade Commission is issuing limited exclusion orders and cease and desist orders banning eight U.S. companies from importing and selling tires that infringe patents on tread and sidewall design held by Toyo Tires. The ITC said West KY Customs, Tire & Wheel Master, Vittore Wheel & Tire, RTM Wheel & Tire, Turbo Wholesale Tires, Lexani Tires Worldwide, WTD, and Simple Tire did not respond to requests to participate in the Section 337 investigation, which began in September 2013 (see 13091706), so the agency automatically found them to be in violation. The Obama administration will now have 60 days to review the import bans and decide whether to veto them. Tires may be imported by the companies during the review period, but will be subject to bond set by the ITC at 100 percent of entered value. With its investigation complete for all other respondents, the ITC also terminated the proceeding.