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ARTICLE · 19 OCTOBER 2021

Commission Issues General Exclusion Order In Certain Balanced Armature Devices (337-TA-1186)

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On October 4, 2021, the ITC issued a notice of violation of section 337 and general exclusion order ("GEO") in Certain Balanced Armature Devices, Products Containing Same, and Components Thereof...

United StatesIntellectual Property
Oblon, McClelland, Maier & Neustadt, L.L.P
Oblon, McClelland, Maier & Neustadt, L.L.P
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On October 4, 2021, the ITC issued a  notice of violation of section 337 and  general exclusion order ("GEO") in Certain Balanced Armature Devices, Products Containing Same, and Components Thereof  (Inv. No. 337-TA-1186).

By way of background, this investigation was based on a complaint by Knowles Corporation and Knowles Electronics, LLC of Itasca, Illinois, and Knowles Electronics (Suzhou) Co., Ltd. of China (collectively, "Knowles") alleging violations of section 337 due to the importation/sale of certain balanced armature devices, products containing same, and components thereof by reason of misappropriation of trade secrets.  The notice of investigation named 12 respondents, seven of which were later terminated based on consent orders.  On January 14, 2021, ALJ Dee Lord issued Order No. 46 ("Sanctions ID") granting-in-part Knowles' motion for sanctions against Respondents Shenzhen Bellsing Acoustic Technology Co. Ltd., Suzhou Bellsing Acoustic Technology Co.

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