Valbruna Files Section 337 Complaint on Stainless Steel Products From Viraj, Bebitz

Valbruna filed a Section 337 complaint on Sept. 5 with the International Trade Commission, alleging that Viraj India and its affiliates and distributors are importing stainless steel products that were made using stolen Valbruna trade secrets. Valbruna says Viraj poached one of its employees in order to obtain trade secrets related to steel manufacturing formulas and customer lists. Viraj and its affiliate Bebitz are then using these trade secrets to manufacture and import stainless steel ingots, bloom, billets, wire rod, bars and profiles, wire, flanges, fittings and forgings, and fasteners, said Valbruna. Ta Chen is also importing infringing product made by Viraj and Bebitz, it said. Valbruna is requesting limited exclusion orders and cease and desist orders banning importation and sale of infringing stainless steel products by Viraj, Bebitz and Ta Chen. The ITC is accepting comments until Sept. 22 on public interest factors raised by the complaint (here).