On April 2, 2012, the U.S. International Trade Commission issued a press release announcing their vote to institute an investigation of Certain Mobile Electronic Devices Incorporating Haptics (Inv. No. 337-TA-834).

The investigation is based on a February 7, 2012 complaint, a March 2, 2012 amended complaint, and a March 15, 2012 supplement to the amended complaint filed by Immersion Corporation of San Jose, California alleging violation of Section 337 in the importation into the U.S. and sale of certain mobile electronic devices incorporating haptic feedback technology, including cellular phones and smartphones that infringe one or more claims of U.S. Patent Nos. 6,429,846, 7,592,999, 7,969,288, 7,982,720, 8,031,181, and 8,059,105.  See our February 9, 2012 post for more details.

According to the Notice of Investigation, the ITC has identified Motorola Mobility, Inc. and Motorola Mobility Holdings, Inc.—both of Libertyville, Illinois—as well as HTC Corporation of Taiwan and HTC America, Inc. of Bellevue, Washington as the respondents in this investigation.  The Notice of Investigation further indicates that the Office of Unfair Import Investigations will not participate as a party in this investigation.

Additionally, Chief ALJ Charles E. Bullock issued a notice indicating that E. James Gildea will be the presiding Administrative Law Judge in this investigation.