On January 24, 2011, the U.S. International Trade Commission issued a press release announcing that it voted to institute an investigation of Certain Game Devices, Components Thereof, and Products Containing the Same (Inv. No. 337-TA-757).

The investigation is based on a December 23, 2010 complaint filed by Microsoft Corporation of Redmond, Washington alleging violation of Section 337 in the importation into the U.S. and sale of certain game devices, components thereof, and products containing the same that infringe U.S. Patent No. 7,787,411.  See our December 27, 2010 post for more details.

According to the Notice of Investigation, the ITC has identified Datel Design and Development Ltd., Datel Direct Ltd., Datel Holdings Ltd., and Datel Electronics Ltd. — all of the United Kingdom — and Datel Design and Development Inc. of Clearwater, Florida as respondents in this investigation.

In addition, Thomas S. Fusco of the Office of Unfair Import Investigations is identified in the Notice of Investigation as the Investigative Attorney assigned to handle this investigation.

Lastly, Chief ALJ Paul J. Luckern issued a notice indicating that Theodore R. Essex will be the presiding Administrative Law Judge in this investigation.