04
Dec
By Eric Schweibenz
On December 4, 2009, the U.S. International Trade Commission issued a press release announcing that it voted to institute an investigation of Certain Foldable Stools (Inv. No. 337-TA-693).

The investigation is based on a November 6, 2009 complaint filed by B&R Plastics, Inc. of Denver, Colorado.  The complaint alleges violation of Section 337 in the importation into the U.S. and sale of certain foldable stools that infringe the design claimed in U.S. Patent No. D460,566.  See our November 10 post for more details.

According to the Notice of Investigation, the Commission has identified the following as respondents in this investigation:

  • Ningbo ZhongTian Co., Ltd. of China

  • Ningbo Ningfeng Import and Export Co., Ltd of China

  • Kikkerland Design, Inc. of New York, New York

  • abc Distributing Inc. of Bannockburn, Illinois

  • Always Something Brilliant of Denver, Colorado

  • Amazon.com, Inc. of Seattle, Washington

  • Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. of Union, New Jersey

  • Buy.com Inc. of Aliso Viejo, California

  • Crate & Barrel, Inc. of Northbrook, Illinois

  • Home Depot Inc. of Atlanta, Georgia

  • The Afternoon of Omaha, Nebraska

  • The Container Store, Inc. of Coppell, Texas

  • QVC, Inc. of West Chester, Pennsylvania


Additionally, T. Spence Chubb of the Office of Unfair Import Investigations is identified on the Notice of Investigation as the Investigative Attorney assigned to handle this investigation.