15
Jul
By Eric Schweibenz
On July 15, 2011, the U.S. International Trade Commission issued a press release announcing that it voted to institute an investigation of Certain Electric Fireplaces, Components Thereof, Manuals for Same, Certain Processes for Manufacturing or Relating to Same and Certain Products Containing Same (Inv. No. 337-TA-791).

The investigation is based on an June 17, 2011 complaint and July 1 and 8, 2011 supplements to the complaint filed by Twin-Star International, Inc. of Delray Beach, California and TS Investment Holding Corp. of Miami, Florida (collectively, “Twin-Star”) alleging violation of Section 337 in the importation into the U.S. and sale of certain electric fireplaces, components thereof, manuals for same, certain processes for manufacturing or relating to same and certain products containing same which infringe U.S. Copyright Registration No. TX0007350474, TX0007350476, VA0001772660, and VA0001772661.  The scope of the investigation will also include Twin-Star’s allegations of misappropriation of trade secrets, and unfair competition.  See our June 21, 2011 post for more details.

According to the Notice of Investigation, the ITC has identified Shenzhen Reliap Industrial Co. of China and Yue Qiu Sheng, a.k.a. Jason Yue of China as the respondents in this investigation.