
USITC Institutes Section 337 Investigation of Certain Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems
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USITC Institutes Section 337 Investigation of Certain Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems and Components Thereof
December 10, 2018
News Release 18-145
Inv. No. 337-TA-1139
Contact: Peg O’Laughlin, 202-205-1819
USITC INSTITUTES SECTION 337 INVESTIGATION OF CERTAIN ELECTRONIC NICOTINE DELIVERY SYSTEMS AND COMPONENTS THEREOF
The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) has voted to institute an investigation of certain electronic nicotine delivery systems and components thereof. The products at issue in the investigation are described in the Commission’s notice of investigation.
The investigation is based on a complaint filed by Juul Labs, Inc., of San Francisco, CA, on October 3, 2018. An amended complaint was filed on October 26, 2018. The complaint, as amended, alleges violations of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 in the importation into the United States and sale of certain electronic nicotine delivery systems and components thereof that infringe patents asserted by the complainant. The complainant requests that the USITC issue a limited exclusion order and cease and desist orders.
The USITC has identified the following as respondents in this investigation:
J Well France S.A.S. of Paris, France;
Bo Vaping, of Garden City, NY;
MMS Distribution LLC of Rock Hill, NY;
The Electric Tobacconist, LLC, of Boulder, CO;
Vapor 4 Life Holdings, Inc., of Northbrook, IL;
Eonsmoke, LLC, of Clifton, NJ;
ZLab S.A. of Punta del Este, Maldonado, Uruguay;
Ziip Lab Co., Limited, of Shenzhen City, Guangdong Province, China;
Shenzhen Yibo Technology Co., Ltd., of Shenzhen City, Guangdong Province, China;
XFire, Inc., of Stafford, TX;
ALD Group Limited of Shenzhen City, Guangdong Province, China;
Flair Vapor LLC of South Plainfield, NJ;
Shenzhen Joecig Technology Co., Ltd., of Shenzhen City, Guangdong Province, China;
Myle Vape Inc. of Jamaica, NY;
Vapor Hub International, Inc., of Simi Valley, CA;
Limitless Mod Co. of Simi Valley, CA;
Asher Dynamics, Inc., of Chino, CA;
Ply Rock of Chino, CA;
Infinite-N Technology Limited of Shenzhen City, Guangdong Province, China;
King Distribution LLC of Elmwood Park, NJ; and
Keep Vapor Electronic Tech. Co., Ltd., of Shenzhen, China.
By instituting this investigation (337-TA-1139), the USITC has not yet made any decision on the merits of the case. The USITC’s Chief Administrative Law Judge will assign the case to one of the USITC’s administrative law judges (ALJ), who will schedule and hold an evidentiary hearing. The
ALJ will make an initial determination as to whether there is a violation of section 337; that initial determination is subject to review by the Commission.
The USITC will make a final determination in the investigation at the earliest practicable time. Within 45 days after institution of the investigation, the USITC will set a target date for completing the investigation. USITC remedial orders in section 337 cases are effective when issued and become final 60 days after issuance unless disapproved for policy reasons by the U.S. Trade Representative within that 60-day period.
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