On March 3, 2022, ALJ Cameron Elliot issued a
notice of his initial determination ("ID") of no
violation of section 337 in Certain Polycrystalline
Diamond Compacts and Articles Containing the Same (Inv.
No. 337-TA-1236).
By way of background, this investigation was instituted on
December 21, 2020 based on a complaint by US Synthetic Corporation
of Orem, Utah alleging violations of section 337 by 27 respondents
based upon the importation/sale of certain
polycrystalline diamond compacts and articles
containing same that infringe U.S. Patent Nos.
9,932,274; 10,508,502 ("the '502
Patent"); 9,315,881; 10,507,565 ("the
'565 Patent"); and 8,616,306 ("the
'306 Patent"). The products at issue are
abrasion-resistant polycrystalline diamond
compacts ("PDC" or "PDCs")
and components thereof for use in drill bits, bearings,
and other industrial applications in the oil and gas industry.