Recent ITC Decision Clarifies And Eases Domestic Industry Burden For Patent Holders

A recent decision by the International Trade Commission ("ITC" or the "Commission") improves intellectual property holders' ability to prove that they have a "domestic industry" and obtain relief for infringement from the Commission. Specifically, the ITC ruled that investments in "non-manufacturing activities," including engineering and research and development activities related to a domestic industry protected article under section 337(a)(3)(C), can support a finding of domestic industry under sections 337(a)(3)(A) or (B)—the sections traditionally associated with manufacturing. The Commission also ruled that manufacturers could use certain investments in components and contract employees to support a finding of domestic industry. The Commission's opinion removes uncertainty for companies relying upon research and development activities and expenditures to establish a domestic industry. It also helps parties relying on manufacturing expenses to establish a domestic