Section 337 Investigation of Video-Capable Electronic Devices and Smart Televisions
Summary
The U.S. International Trade Commission has instituted Investigation No. 337-TA-1495 based on a complaint filed by InterDigital, Inc. and related entities alleging patent infringement by manufacturers of smart televisions, monitors, and video-capable electronic devices. The complaint, filed February 26, 2026, and supplemented March 13, 2026, names 12 respondents including TCL and Hisense companies located in China, Hong Kong, Vietnam, and the United States. The investigation concerns importation and sale of products that allegedly infringe certain patent claims. The Commission will schedule an evidentiary hearing and issue a final determination at the earliest practicable time.
What changed
The USITC voted to institute an investigation of certain video-capable electronic devices, including smart televisions, monitors, and components thereof, based on a complaint filed by InterDigital entities alleging violations of Section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930. The complaint concerns importation into the United States and sale of products that allegedly infringe certain claims of InterDigital's patents. Twelve respondents were named, including TCL Industries Holdings Co., Ltd., TCL Technology Group Corp., TCL Electronics Holdings Limited, Hisense Co., Ltd., Hisense USA Corporation, and related subsidiaries. The complainants request issuance of limited exclusion orders and cease and desist orders.
Respondents in this investigation—including technology manufacturers, importers, and exporters of smart TVs and monitors—should immediately engage legal counsel experienced in Section 337 proceedings to prepare a defense. The Commission's Chief Administrative Law Judge will assign the case to an ALJ who will schedule an evidentiary hearing and issue an initial determination on whether a violation occurred. USITC remedial orders become effective when issued and final 60 days after issuance unless disapproved by the U.S. Trade Representative. Respondents should audit their supply chains and import records for the products at issue and develop contingency plans for potential exclusion orders that could block entry of infringing devices into the United States.
What to do next
- Retain Section 337 litigation counsel to represent your company in Investigation 337-TA-1495
- Conduct internal audit of imported video-capable electronic devices to identify products potentially subject to the complaint
- Develop import contingency plans in case limited exclusion orders are issued by the Commission
Penalties
Potential remedies include limited exclusion orders barring entry of infringing products into the United States and cease and desist orders; USITC remedial orders are effective when issued and become final 60 days after issuance unless disapproved by the USTR.
Source document (simplified)
USITC Institutes Section 337 Investigation of Certain Video-Capable Electronic Devices, Including Smart Televisions, Monitors, and Components Thereof
March 30, 2026
News Release 26-049
Contact: Jennifer Andberg, 202-205-1819 USITC Institutes Section 337 Investigation of Certain Video-Capable Electronic Devices, Including Smart Televisions, Monitors, and Components Thereof
The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) voted to institute an investigation of certain video-capable electronic devices, including smart televisions, monitors, and components thereof. The products at issue in the investigation are described in the Commission’s notice of institution of investigation.
The investigation is based on a complaint filed on behalf of InterDigital, Inc. of Wilmington, Delaware, InterDigital VC Holdings, Inc. of Wilmington, Delaware and InterDigital Madison Patent Holdings SAS of Paris, France on February 26, 2026, and supplemented on March 13, 2026. The complaint, as supplemented, alleges violations of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 in the importation into the United States and sale of certain video-capable electronic devices, including smart televisions, monitors, and components thereof that infringe certain claims of the patents asserted by the complainants. The complainants request that the USITC issue a limited exclusion order and cease and desist orders.
The USITC has identified the following respondents in this investigation:
- TCL Industries Holdings Co., Ltd. Guangdong, China
- TCL Technology Group Corp., Guangdong, China
- TCL Electronics Holdings Limited, Hong Kong
- Shenzhen TCL New Technology Co., Ltd., Guangdong, China
- TCL King Electrical Appliances (Huizhou) Company Limited, Huizhou, China
- TCL Overseas Marketing Limited, Hong Kong
- TCL Smart Device (Vietnam) Company Limited, Binh Duong Province, Vietnam
- TCL Smart Screen Technology HK, Hong Kong
- TCL Moka International Ltd., Hong Kong
- TTE Technology, Inc., Irvine, California
- Hisense Co., Ltd., Qingdao, Shandong Province, China
- Hisense USA Corporation, Suwanee, Georgia
- Hisense Electronics Manufacturing Company of America Corporation, Suwanee, Georgia By instituting this investigation (337-TA-1495), the USITC has not yet made any decision on the merits of the case. The USITC’s Chief Administrative Law Judge will assign the case to one of the USITC’s administrative law judges (ALJ), who will schedule and hold an evidentiary hearing. The ALJ will make an initial determination as to whether there is a violation of section 337; that initial determination is subject to review by the Commission.
The USITC will make a final determination in the investigation at the earliest practicable time. Within 45 days after institution of the investigation, the USITC will set a target date for completing the investigation. USITC remedial orders in section 337 cases are effective when issued and become final 60 days after issuance unless disapproved for policy reasons by the U.S. Trade Representative within that 60-day period.
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