ITC Intellectual Property Rights Investigations

STR Trade Report

Filed March 2nd, 2026

Detected March 1st, 2026

Summary

The International Trade Commission (ITC) has initiated new investigations into alleged patent infringement for beverage brewing products (337-TA-1485) and electronic nicotine delivery systems (337-TA-1486). New complaints were also filed concerning infotainment systems and solar cells.

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What changed

The International Trade Commission (ITC) has announced the institution of two new patent infringement investigations, 337-TA-1485 concerning beverage brewing products and 337-TA-1486 concerning electronic nicotine delivery systems. Additionally, new complaints have been filed regarding alleged infringement of intellectual property rights in in-vehicle infotainment systems and TOPCon solar cells and modules. These actions could lead to import restrictions on the affected products.

Companies involved in the manufacturing or importation of beverage brewing products, electronic nicotine delivery systems, infotainment systems, or solar cells should review these investigations. Respondents in these cases face potential exclusion orders that would prohibit the importation of infringing products into the United States. Complainants are seeking to enforce their intellectual property rights, and affected parties should consider their legal and business strategies in light of these proceedings.

What to do next

Review ITC investigation 337-TA-1485 for beverage brewing products.
Review ITC investigation 337-TA-1486 for electronic nicotine delivery systems.
Monitor new complaints filed regarding infotainment systems and solar cells.

Source document (simplified)

March 2, 2026 // Trade Report

IPR News: Beverage Brewing Products, Infotainment Systems, Nicotine Delivery Systems, Solar Cells

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The International Trade Commission has recently announced the following actions in intellectual property rights infringement investigations that could affect imports of covered products. For more information on pursuing or mitigating IPR-related import restrictions, please contact ST&R.

Beverage brewing products – institution of patent infringement investigation 337-TA-1485 of certain beverage brewing products and components thereof (complainant Adrian Rivera Maynez Enterprises Inc.; respondent located in California)

Infotainment systems – new IPR infringement complaint filed on certain in-vehicle infotainment systems, components thereof, and products containing the same (complainant Zync Inc.; proposed respondents located in Germany and the U.S.)

Nicotine delivery systems – institution of patent infringement investigation 337-TA-1486 of certain disposable and other closed-system electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) devices and components thereof (complainants R.J. Reynolds Tobacco, R.J. Reynolds Vapor Company, RAI Services Company, and Reynolds Marketing Services; respondents located in China, Hong Kong, and the U.S.)

Solar cells and modules – new IPR infringement complaint filed on certain TOPCON solar cells, modules, panels, components thereof, and products containing the same (complainant First Solar Inc.; proposed respondents located in Canada, China, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, the U.S., and Vietnam)

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