International Trade Today is a Warren News publication.

ITC to Consider Possible Section 337 Investigation on Smart Ceiling Fans

Comments are due to the International Trade Commission by Oct. 4 in a potential Section 337 investigation on imported smart ceiling fans and components (ITC Docket No. 3694), it said in a Federal Register notice.

Sign up for a free preview to unlock the rest of this article

If your job depends on informed compliance, you need International Trade Today. Delivered every business day and available any time online, only International Trade Today helps you stay current on the increasingly complex international trade regulatory environment.

The notice followed a Sept. 20 complaint by New York-based WAC Lighting, which alleged that two U.S. importers, Minka Lighting and VCC, of infringing on three patents covering wireless controlled ceiling fans and fan-cloud communication. WAC says that the importers have brought in infringing smart ceiling fans, components thereof, electrical boards with circuitry enabling smart features, and receivers and their circuitry, motors, housings, electrical conversion filters, controllers, and associated systems and software.

WAC asked the ITC for a permanent limited exclusion order and cease and desist orders.