Bloomberg Quotes Suzanne Kane on Proliferation of ITC Patent Cases

Bloomberg has quoted Akin Gump international trade counsel Suzanne Kane in the article “Speedy 5G, Emerging Tech to Spur More Patent Cases at ITC,” which reports that fast-changing technology is pushing more companies to the U.S. International Trade Commission to try to stop patent-infringing imports by rivals from overseas.

According to the article, the ITC has received nearly four dozen patent infringement complaints this year against companies that include China’s ZTE Corp. and Japan’s Nikon Corp. Nintendo Co. Ltd. The disputes cover a wide range of technology, such as semiconductor parts, sleep apnea masks and unmanned aerial vehicle. As new next-generation 5G wireless technology grows and companies race to offer the latest high-tech devices, the article says the infringement complaints are not likely to slow down.

Companies that pursue claims at the ITC can collect damages if a federal court rules an import infringes a patent. Further, only the ITC can order customs to stop an import at the border. “This is a huge advantage for companies that win,” said Kane. “The docket has exploded as companies realize that this is a really powerful form of relief.”