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- ITC Section 337
"Standout patent litigation group often retained by
pharmaceutical and technology giants to appear before the
ITC and the federal courts in significant high-stakes disputes."
Chambers 2020, Intellectual Property, District of Columbia
"They are without question one of the best sets
of advocates I have had the pleasure to work with."
Chambers USA
International Trade: Intellectual Property (Section 337)
The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) has become a key forum for high-stakes global intellectual property disputes. The cases move fast and the remedy is powerful. There is little room for learning on the job.
Drawing on our leading patent litigation, international trade, and government relations practices, Covington provides effective guidance, through integrated international IP counseling, litigation, and enforcement, for the resolution of business critical issues before the ITC.
Our collective experience is critical in the setting of fast-paced, high-stakes litigation—where discovery lasts only a few months and the case is brought to trial in eight to 10 months. Covington’s ITC-focused team, which has appeared in over 90 Section 337 cases spanning nearly 30 years, includes lawyers with experience inside some of the key government agencies involved in Section 337 cases. Our team includes:
- a former Chairman and Commissioner of the ITC;
- former lawyers from the crucial regulatory and enforcement authorities, including the ITC Office of General Counsel, and the ITC Office of Unfair Import Investigation (OUII), which participates in many 337 investigations; and
- a former senior official from the Office of United States Trade Representative, which reviews all ITC exclusion orders.
Combined with the strengths of the broader practice, which includes one of Asia’s leading intellectual property and Section 337 lawyers, Ruixue Ran, and more than 60 lawyers firm-wide with significant experience in this area, we have the depth necessary to staff even the most challenging cases.
Section 337 cases are distinguished not only based on their speed and powerful remedies, but also on the fact that a far greater share of them go to trial than is the case for patent cases in the district courts. Our ITC case teams recognize this from the inception of our engagement—counsel with years of experience inside the ITC’s courtrooms and before its Administrative Law Judges develop litigation strategy at the earliest stages.
In addition to our track record of successfully litigating original investigations before the ITC, our lawyers routinely remain involved after an order issues, and have significant practical experience working with customs departments and the ITC to properly implement and enforce both limited and general exclusion orders.
Our lawyers also have significant experience assisting companies that may be confronted with an exclusion order, including companies that may have been represented by different counsel during the course of an ITC investigation, to ensure that any business impact after the ITC case ends is minimized to the greatest extent possible. Our knowledge of the nuances of real-world enforcement from both the complainant and the respondent’s perspective translates directly into increased efficiency in preparation and case management, more effective results-focused litigation strategy, and better business outcomes at the border after an exclusion order issues.
High Profile Section 337 Dispute Between U.S. Steel and the Chinese Steel Industry
Representation of Baoshan Iron & Steel Co., Ltd. in a trade secret, antitrust and false designation of origin dispute in the International Trade Commission involving processes for making Advanced High Strength Steel. In November 2016, Sturgis Sobin, Derek Ludwin, and James O’Connell were named “Litigators of the Week” by American Lawyer for an initial determination at the ITC on behalf of our client. This was the first price-fixing case in almost 40 years at the agency, terminating U.S. Steel’s antitrust claim.
Successful Representation of Samsung at the ITC, District Court, and PTAB
Representation of Samsung as petitioner in an ITC action and related district court action instituted by Black Hills Media, involving nine patents. In the ITC, Black Hills sought to preclude Samsung from importing hundreds of products into the U.S., including cell phones, tablets, smart TVs, Blu-ray players, and home theater systems. Following an evidentiary hearing, the ITC agreed that no Section 337 violation by Samsung had been proven and terminated the Investigation. While the ITC case was pending, the team also obtained a strategically important stay of the parallel E.D. Texas district court litigation, over the plaintiff’s objection, and despite the fact that the district court case involved several patents not at issue in the ITC. The district court case was ultimately dropped by Black Hills. Covington also prepared and prosecuted nine related inter partes review petitions. After oral argument in two of the proceedings, the PTAB issued a Final Written Decision finding all challenged claims unpatentable.
Success Before ITC and PTAB on Behalf of Tessera
As recognized by The National Law Journal, Covington successfully represented Tessera at the ITC regarding a patent infringement dispute with Broadcom over semiconductor chips. This victory came on the heels of its effective represented before the PTAB. Tessera (Complainant): Certain Semiconductor devices, semiconductor device packages, and products containing same, USITC Inv. No. 337-TA-1010.
Samsung ITC Section 337 in Certain Portable Electronic Devices Investigation
Representation of Samsung (respondent) in the ITC Section 337 Investigation: In the Matter of Certain Portable Electronic Devices and Components Thereof, Inv. No. 337-TA-994, and appeal at the Federal Circuit. The ITC held the patent infringement claims invalid under Section 101 in a special 100-day proceeding. On appeal, the Federal Circuit summarily affirmed the ITC’s ruling.
Representation of Oppo Before ITC
Defended OPPO Mobile Telecommunications Corp., Ltd. and OPPO Digital, Inc. against patent infringement allegations brought by LG Chem - pending. Oppo Digital, Inc; Guandong Oppo Mobile Telecommunications Corp. Ltd (Respondents): Batteries and Electrochemical Devices Containing Composite Separators, Components Thereof, and Products Containing Same, USITC Inv. No. 337-TA-1087.
Knowles Electronics ITC Section 337 Certain Silicon Microphone Packages Investigation
Representation of Knowles Electronics in ITC Section 337 Investigation: Certain Silicon Microphone Packages and Products Containing Same, USITC Inv. No. 337-TA-888 (Complainant).
Knowles Electronics ITC Section 337 Silicon Microphone Packages Investigation
Representation of Knowles Electronics in ITC Section 337 Investigation: Silicon Microphone Packages and Products Containing Same, USITC Inv. No. 337-TA-825 (Complainant).
Corsair ITC Section 337 Investigation
Representation of respondent Corsair in the ITC Section 337 Investigation: Certain Flash Memory Controllers, Drives, Memory Cards and Media Players, USITC Inv. No. 337-TA-619 (Respondent).
Samsung ITC Section 337 in Certain Digital Media Devices Investigation
Representation of Samsung in the ITC Section 337 Investigation: Certain Digital Media Devices, Including Televisions, Blu-Ray Disc Players, Home Theater Systems, Tablets and Mobile Phones, Components Thereof and Associated Software, USITC Inv. No. 337- TA-882 (Respondent).
Samsung ITC Section 337 Electronic Devices Investigation
Representation of Samsung in the ITC 337 Investigation: Electronic Devices, Including Handheld Wireless Communication Devices, USITC Inv. No. 337-TA-673 (Respondent).
Samsung in ITC Section 337 Mobile Telephones and Wireless Communication Devices Investigation
Representation of Samsung in the ITC 337 Investigation: Mobile Telephones and Wireless Communication Devices Featuring Digital Cameras, and Components, USITC Inv. No. 337-TA-663 (Respondent).
Samsung ITC Section 337 Wireless Communication Equipment Investigation
Representation of Samsung in the ITC Section 337 Investigation: Wireless Communication Equipment, Articles Therein, and Products Containing Same, USITC Inv. No. 337-TA-577 (Respondent).
Samsung ITC Section 337 Certain Light-Emitting Diodes Investigation
Representation of Samsung Electronics in the ITC Section 337 Investigation: Certain Light-Emitting Diodes and Products Containing Same, USITC Inv. No. 337-TA-785 (Respondent).
Samsung ITC Section 337 Investigation
Representation of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. and Samsung Electronics America, Inc. in the ITC Section 337 Investigation relating to audio processing software designed to cancel or reduce echoes and ambient noise. Covington reached a favorable settlement for the client before trial.
Huawei ITC Section 337 Investigation
Representation of Huawei in the ITC Section 337 Investigation: Wireless Devices with 3G Capabilities and Components Thereof, USITC Inv. Nos. 337-TA-800 and 337-TA-868 (Respondent).
Microchip ITC Section 337 Investigation
Representation of Microchip in the ITC Section 337 Investigation: Certain Semiconductor Integrated Circuit Devices and Products, USITC Inv. No. 337-TA-840 (Complainant).
Samsung ITC Section 337 Certain MLC Flash Memory Devices Investigation
Representation of Samsung in the ITC Section 337 Investigation: Certain MLC Flash Memory Devices and Products Containing Same, USITC Inv. No. 337-TA-683 (Respondent).
Seagate Technology ITC Section 337 Investigation
Representation of Seagate Technology in the ITC Section 337 Investigation: Hard Disk Drives, Components Thereof, and Products Containing the Same, USITC Inv. No. 337-TA-616 (Respondent).
Realtek ITC Section 337 Investigation
Representation of Realtek in the ITC Section 337 Investigation: Network Controllers, USITC Inv. No. 337-TA-531 (Respondent).
MStar Semiconductor ITC Section 337 Investigation
Representation of MStar Semiconductor in the ITC Section 337 Investigation: Display Controllers with Upscaling Functionality and Products Containing the Same, USITC Inv. No. 337-TA-481 (Respondent).
Roche ITC Section 337 Investigation
Representation of Roche in the ITC Section 337 Investigation: Recombinant Human Erythropoietin, USITC Inv. No. 337-TA-568 (Respondent).
Kumho Petrochemical Co., Ltd ITC Section 337 Investigation
Representation of Kumho Petrochemical Co., Ltd in the ITC Section 337 Investigation: Rubber Antidegradants, Components Thereof and Products Containing Same, USITC Inv. No. 337-TA-533 (Respondent).
Q-Med Aktiebolag ITC Section 337 Investigation
Representation of Q-Med Aktiebolag in the ITC Section 337 Investigation: Injectable Implant Compositions, USITC Inv. No. 337-TA-515 (Respondent).
Meretek Diagnostics ITC Section 337 Investigation
Representation of Meretek Diagnostics in the ITC Section 337 Investigation: Breath Test Systems for the Detection of Gastrointestinal Disorders, USITC Inv. No. 337-TA-495 (Complainant).
Nidek ITC Section 337 Investigation
Representation of Nidek in the ITC Section 337 Investigation: Excimer Laser Systems for Vision Correction Surgery and Components Thereof and Methods for Performing Such Surgery, Inv. No. 337-TA- 419 (Respondent).
Samsung ITC Section 337 Certain Consumer Electronics Investigation
Representation of Samsung in the ITC Section 337 Investigation: Certain Consumer Electronics and Display Devices and Products Containing Same, USITC Inv. No. 337-TA-836 (Respondent).
Hewlett-Packard ITC Section 337 Investigation
Representation of Hewlett-Packard in the ITC Section 337 Investigation: Wireless Communication Devices and Systems, USITC Inv. No. 337-TA-775 (Respondent).
FujiPhoto Film Co ITC Section 337 Investigation
Representation of FujiPhoto Film Co. in the ITC Section 337 Investigation: Lens-Fitted Film Packages, USITC Inv. No. 337-TA-406 (Complainant).
Phillip Morris ITC Section 337 Investigation
Representation of Phillip Morris in the ITC Section 337 Investigation: Cigarettes and Packaging, USITC Inv. No. 337-TA-643 (Complainant).
Genentech, Inc. ITC Section 337 Investigation
Representation of Genentech in the ITC Section 337 Investigation: Recombinantly Produced Human Growth Hormone, USITC Inv. No. 337-TA-358 (Complainant).
Old Dominion Footwear Inc ITC Section 337 Investigation
Representation of Old Dominion Footwear, Inc. in the ITC Section 337 Investigation: Foam Footwear, USITC Inv. No. 337-TA-567 (Respondent).
Arm’s Reach Concepts, Inc. ITC Section 337 Investigation
Representation of Arm’s Reach Concepts, Inc. in the ITC Section 337 Investigation: Bassinet Products, USITC Inv. No. 337-TA-597 (Complainant).
Emine Technology ITC Section 337 Investigation
Representation of Emine Technology in the ITC Section 337 Investigation: Switches and Products Containing Same, USITC Inv. No. 337-TA-589 (Respondent).
Energizer and Eveready ITC Section 337 Investigation
Representation of Energizer Holdings, Inc. and Eveready Battery Company, Inc. in the ITC Section 337 Investigation: Zero-Mercury-Added Alkaline Batteries, Components Thereof and Products Containing Same, USITC Inv. No. 337-TA-493 (Complainants).
Tilia Inc. ITC Section 337 Investigation
Representation of Tilia Inc. in the ITC Section 337 Investigation: Vacuum Packaging Machines, USITC Inv. No. 337-TA-496 (temporary exclusion order proceeding) (Complainant).
Eaton Corp. ITC Section 337 Investigation
Representation of Eaton Corp.in the ITC Section 337 Investigation: Automated Mechanical Transmission Systems for Medium-Duty and Heavy-Duty Trucks and Components Thereof, USITC Inv. No. 337-TA-503 (Complainant).
New Holland North America, Inc. ITC Section 337 Investigation
Representation of New Holland North America, Inc. in the ITC Section 337 Investigation: Agricultural Tractors, Lawn Tractors, Riding Lawnmowers and Components Thereof, USITC Inv. No. 337-TA-486 (Complainant).
Cognex Corporation ITC Section 337 Investigation
Representation of Cognex Corporation in the ITC Section 337 Investigation: Machine Vision Systems, Parts and Components Thereof, and Products Containing Same, USITC Inv. No. 337-TA-484 (Complainant).
Rapistan Systems Advertising and Siemens Dematic ITC Section 337 Investigation
Representation of Rapistan Systems Advertising Corp. and Siemens Dematic Corp. in the ITC Section 337 Investigation: Sortation Systems, Components Thereof and Products Containing Same, USITC Inv. No. 337-TA-460 (Complainants).
Sidel ITC Section 337 Investigation
Representation of Sidel in the ITC Section 337 Investigation: Plastic Molding Machines with Control Systems Having Programmable Operator Interfaces Incorporating General Purpose Computers, and Components Thereof II, USITC Inv. No. 337-TA- 462 (Respondent).
Bombardier Inc. ITC Section 337 Investigation
Representation of Bombardier in the ITC Section 337 Investigation: Personal Watercraft and Components Thereof, USITC Inv. No. 337-TA- 452 (Respondent).
Peregrine Semiconductor ITC Section 337 Investigation
Representation of Peregrine Semiconductor in the ITC Section 337 Investigation: Certain Radio Frequency Integrated Circuits and Devices Containing Same, USITC Inv. No. 337-TA-848 (Complainant).
Vizio ITC Section 337 Investigation
Representation of Vizio in the ITC Section 337 Investigation: Certain Integrated Circuits, Chipsets, and Products Containing Same Including Televisions, USITC Inv. No. 337-TA-822 (Respondent).
Bearing Distributor ITC Section 337 Investigation
Representation of Bearing Distributor in the ITC Section 337 Investigation: Bearings and Packaging Thereof, USITC Inv. No. 337-TA-469 (Respondent).
A-Data ITC Section 337 Investigation
Representation of respondent A-Data in the ITC Section 337 Investigation: Certain Flash Memory Controllers, Drives, Memory Cards and Media Players, USITC Inv. No. 337-TA-619 (Respondent).
Actions Semiconductors, Inc. ITC Section 337 Investigation
Representation of Actions Semiconductor, Inc. in the ITC Section 337 Investigation: Audio Processing Integrated Circuits and Products Containing Same, Enforcement phase only, USITC Inv. No. 337-TA-538 (Respondent).
Skylink ITC Section 337 Investigation
Representation of Skylink in the ITC Section 337 Investigation: Universal Transmitters for Garage Door Openers, USITC Inv. No. 337-TA-497 (Respondent).
LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc. ITC Section 337 Investigation
Representation of LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc.; Jetta Company, Ltd. in the ITC Section 337 Investigation: Electronic Educational Devices and Components Thereof, USITC Inv. No. 337-TA-475 (Respondents).
Altima ITC Section 337 Investigation
Representation of Altima in the ITC Section 337 Investigation: Integrated Repeaters, Switches, Transceivers and Products Containing Same, Enforcement phase only, USITC Inv. No. 337-TA-435 (Respondent).
Echostar and Scientific Atlanta ITC Section 337 Investigation
Representation of Echostar and Scientific Atlanta in the ITC Section 337 Investigation: Set-Top Boxes and Components Thereof, USITC Inv. No. 337-TA-454 (Respondents).
Altera ITC Section 337 Investigation
Representation of Altera Corporation in the ITC Section 337 Investigation: Programmable Logic Devices and Products Containing Same, USITC Inv. No. 337-TA-453 (Complainant).
Atmel ITC Section 337 Investigation
Representation of Atmel Corporation in the ITC Section 337 Investigation: Erasable Programmable Read Only Memories and Products Containing Same, USITC Inv. No. 337-TA-395 (Complainant).
NEC ITC Section 337 Investigation
Representation of NEC in the ITC Section 337 Investigation: Dynamic Random Access Memories, Components Thereof, and Products Containing Same, USITC Inv. No. 337-TA-242 (Respondent).
Quickturn ITC Section 337 Investigation
Representation of Quickturn in the ITC Section 337 Investigation: Hardware Logic Emulators, USITC Inv. No. 337-TA-383 (Complainant).
Beifa Ningbo ITC Section 337 Investigation
Representation of Beifa Ningbo in the ITC Section 337 Investigation: Ink Markers and Packaging Thereof, USITC Inv. No. 337-TA-522 (Respondent).
Nokia ITC Section 337 Investigation
Representation of Nokia in the ITC Section 337 Investigation: Cellular Radiotelephones and Subassemblies and Component Parts Thereof, USITC Inv. No. 337-TA-297 (Respondent).
Microjet Technology ITC Section 337 Investigation
Representation of Microjet Technology in the ITC Section 337 Investigation: Ink Jet Cartridges, USITC Inv. No. 337-TA-446 (Respondent).
Crews, Inc. ITC Section 337 Investigation
Representation of Crews, Inc. in the ITC Section 337 Investigation: Safety Eyewear and Components Thereof, USITC Inv. No. 337-TA-433 (Respondent).
Shummi Enterprise Co., Ltd and Shumei Industrial Co., Ltd. ITC Section 337 Investigation
Shummi Enterprise Co., Ltd; Shumei Industrial Co., Ltd in the ITC Section 337 Investigation: Toothbrushes and Packaging Thereof, USITC Inv. No. 337-TA-391 (Respondent).
Support Systems Int’l, Inc. ITC Section 337 Investigation
Representation of Support Systems Int’l, Inc. in the ITC Section 337 Investigation: Fluidized Support Apparatus, USITC Inv. No. 337-TA-182 (Complainant).
Toshiba ITC Section 337 Investigation
Representation of Toshiba Corporation in the ITC Section 337 Investigation: NAND Flash Memory Devices and Products Containing Same, USITC Inv. No. 337-TA-553 (Respondent).
ProMOS ITC Section 337 Investigation
Representation of ProMOS in the ITC Section 337 Investigation: Semiconductor Integrated Circuits Using Tungsten Metallization and Products Containing Same, USITC Inv. No. 337-TA-648 (Respondent).
Microchip ITC Section 337 Investigation
Representation of Microchip in the ITC Section 337 Investigation: Semiconductor Integrated Circuits Using Tungsten Metallization and Products Containing Same, USITC Inv. No. 337-TA-648 (Respondent).
Afa Technologies in ITC Section 337 Investigation
Representation of Afa Technologies in the ITC Section 337 Investigation: Certain Flash Memory Controllers, Drives, Memory Cards and Media Players, USITC Inv. No. 337-TA-619 (Respondent).
Power Quotient International (PQI) in ITC Section 337 Investigation
Representation of respondent Power Quotient International (PQI) in the ITC Section 337 Investigation: Certain Flash Memory Controllers, Drives, Memory Cards and Media Players, USITC Inv. No. 337-TA-619 (Respondent).
Samsung LED ITC Section 337 Certain Light-Emitting Diodes Investigation
Representation of Samsung LED in the ITC Section 337 Investigation: Certain Light-Emitting Diodes and Products Containing Same, USITC Inv. No. 337-TA-798 (Complainant).
International Products Sourcing Group Inc. in ITC Section 337 Investigation
Representation of respondent International Products Sourcing Group, Inc. in the ITC Section 337 Investigation: Semiconductor Chips with Minimized Chip Package Size and Products Containing Same (III), USITC Inv. No. 337-TA-630 (Respondents).
Samsung ITC Section 337 Wireless Communication Equipment Investigation
Representation of Samsung in the ITC Section 337 Investigation: Wireless Communication Equipment, Articles Therein, and Products Containing Same, USITC Inv. No. 337-TA-583 (Respondent).
UMC ITC Section 337 Investigation
Representation of UMC in the ITC Section 337 Investigation: Semiconductor Integrated Circuits Using Tungsten Metallization and Products Containing Same, USITC Inv. No. 337-TA-648 (Respondent).
Micronas ITC Section 337 Investigation
Representation of Micronas in the ITC Section 337 Investigation: Semiconductor Integrated Circuits Using Tungsten Metallization and Products Containing Same, USITC Inv. No. 337-TA-648 (Respondent).
Dongbu HiTek ITC Section 337 Investigation
Representation of Dongbu HiTek in the ITC Section 337 Investigation: Semiconductor Integrated Circuits Using Tungsten Metallization and Products Containing Same, USITC Inv. No. 337-TA-648 (Respondent).
Chipsbank ITC Section 337 Investigation
Representation of respondent Chipsbank in the ITC Section 337 Investigation: Certain Flash Memory Controllers, Drives, Memory Cards and Media Players, USITC Inv. No. 337-TA-619 (Respondent).
Skymedi ITC Section 337 Investigation
Representation of respondent Skymedi in the ITC Section 337 Investigation: Certain Flash Memory Controllers, Drives, Memory Cards and Media Players, USITC Inv. No. 337-TA-619 (Respondent).
Merck ITC and District Court Litigation
Representation of Merck & Co. before the ITC and in the Eastern District of Virginia in cases involving Merck’s blockbuster NuvaRing® contraceptive product. After the first day of the evidentiary hearing, the complainant dismissed their ITC complaint and subsequently dismissed their district court complaint as well. Certain Vaginal Ring Birth Control Devices.
December 6, 2019, Covington Alert
The General Office of the CPC Central Committee and the General Office of the State Council of China jointly published Opinions on Strengthening Intellectual Property Protection (“Opinion”) on November 24, 2019, with the purpose of effectively deterring the occurrence of IP infringement by 2020. The Opinion provides specific and concrete guidelines to strengthen ...
Shara Aranoff Named "Intellectual Property Trailblazer"
March 1, 2019
WASHINGTON—The National Law Journal has named Covington's Shara Aranoff to its list of "Intellectual Property Trailblazers." This list profiles the top 27 lawyers nationwide who have moved the needle in copyright, trademark, patent, and trade secrets law. Ms. Aranoff helps clients in technology, life sciences, and manufacturing use intellectual property and ...
January 10, 2019, Covington Alert
On January 4, 2019, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress ( “NPC”) of China published a draft amendment to the Patent Law (the “Draft”) for public comment. While this draft is not yet final, it indicates China is taking concrete steps to help patent holders with the exercise of their rights.
October 8, 2018
BEIJING—China Law & Practice has named Covington “Intellectual Property Firm of the Year” and Covington partner Ruixue Ran as “Intellectual Property Lawyer of the Year.” The awards highlight innovation and excellence in the China legal market and honor top law firms, lawyers, and legal departments. Ms. Ran is one of the few China-based lawyers who focus on ...
Don't Stop The Presses: Canadian Newsprint Tariffs Axed
August 29, 2018, Law360
Shara Aranoff is quoted in Law360 regarding the firm’s victory before the U.S. International Trade Commission’s regarding tariffs imposed Canadian imports on newsprints. Ms. Aranoff says, “This is really a win-win both for newspapers in the U.S. and for the paper mills who supply them."
What You Need To Know About Patent Litigation In Germany
July 27, 2018, Law360
Michael Plimack is quoted in Law360 regarding the importance of Germany as a global patent litigation venue. Mr. Plimack says, “Any company that is really thinking about one of these large-scale patent wars will have to look very carefully at Germany.” Because Germany does not allow for the same scope of pretrial discovery as the United States, Mr. Plimack adds, ...
Patent Owners Taking Global View In Enforcement Efforts
July 18, 2018, Law360
Michael Plimack is quoted in Law360 regarding companies in high-stakes patent disputes adopting global enforcement strategies. Mr. Plimack provided insight into why many patent disputes are litigated in German courts. He says, “Because Germany is such a large economy in the world and in Europe, it's not uncommon for battles over things like smartphones, for ...
‘A victory for Chinese steel and US law’: why a lawyer thinks Chinese companies can put faith in the American legal system
July 3, 2018, South China Morning Post
Ruixue Ran is quoted in a South China Morning Post article regarding how the result of the recent U.S. steel investigation should encourage Chinese companies to use the American legal system to settle disputes. According to Ran, the case was the first of its kind against Chinese steel products and the first time Chinese companies had won a trade secrets case ...
How The New ITC Rules Change Litigation Strategy
June 7, 2018, Managing Intellectual Property
Daniel Valencia is quoted in a Managing Intellectual Property article regarding new ITC rules that will significantly impact litigation strategies. Commenting on the changes, Valencia says, "If anything, they’ll help create additional certainty about how the game is played at the ITC." One important rule will now allow the Commission and administrative law ...
4 Things To Know About New ITC Rules For Patent Cases
May 16, 2018, Law360
Daniel Valencia is quoted in a Law360 article regarding new ITC rules for intellectual property cases that take effect next month. Commenting on the provision that gives the commission and individual administrative law judges the authority to sever one case into two or more, Valencia says, "Going forward, we will see litigants and judges looking at ...
Michael Plimack Named One of California's Top IP Lawyers
April 20, 2018
SAN FRANCISCO—The Daily Journal has named Covington partner Michael Plimack to its 2018 list of the “Top Intellectual Property Lawyers” in California. Mr. Plimack, co-chair of Covington’s Patent Litigation Practice Group, represents leading technology companies that are faced with complex patent infringement cases. In its profile, the Daily Journal highlighted ...
Top IP Lawyers: Michael Plimack
April 18, 2018, Daily Journal
Michael Plimack was named to the Daily Journal's "Top Intellectual Property Lawyers" in California list. Commenting on recent changes in patent litigation, Plimack says, "Large-scale patent litigation these days is an international affair that requires experience in all the key jurisdictions, which I believe will increasingly include China over time."
April 9, 2018, CGTN
Ruixue Ran appeared on CGTN to discuss a recent victory on behalf of China's steel sector following a decision by the ITC to terminate a Section 337 investigation into Chinese steel products. According to Ran, who represented Chinese steel companies including Baosteel in the case, "While defending the trade secret misappropriation claim, we spent massive energy ...
International Trade Commission Drops US Steel's Antitrust Claims Against Chinese Steelmakers
March 23, 2018, The American Lawyer
Derek Ludwin and James O'Connell are quoted by The American Lawyer in an article examining a decision by the ITC stating that United States Steel cannot bring antitrust claims against 40 Chinese steel manufacturers over alleged price-fixing. Ludwin, who represents Baosteel America with O'Connell and Sturgis Sobin, says that even though Section 337 is not often ...
March 15, 2018, Covington Alert
China has continued to develop its adjudicatory framework for intellectual property disputes with the establishment of three Intellectual Property Tribunals (“IP Tribunals”) this month. This reform began with the establishment of three specialized IP Courts in Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou at the end of 2014, and has been furthered with the establishment of ...
January 19, 2018, Law360
Covington was named a 2017 International Trade Group of the Year by Law360. According to Peter Lichtenbaum, the Bombardier trade remedies case, which "presents very significant economic, legal, and political issues," was one of the group's biggest from the past year. "The company remains confident that the ITC will conclude that Boeing will not be harmed by the ...
July 5, 2017, The National Law Journal
The National Law Journal highlights Covington's successful representation of Tessera at the ITC regarding a patent infringement dispute with Broadcom over semiconductor chips. According to Sturgis Sobin, who led the Covington team, "They tried for more than two years to work out a deal, but were unsuccessful."
An Update on Recent Section 101 Jurisprudence under Alice
May 4, 2017, Department of the Navy Office of the General Counsel Intellectual Property Seminar
Six Covington Lawyers Named Law360 MVPs
January 3, 2017
WASHINGTON—Law360 has named six Covington lawyers as MVPs in their respective practice areas. The awards single out lawyers from across various practice areas based on their “success in high-stakes litigation, complex global matters, and record-breaking deals.” The Covington lawyers recognized as Law360 MVPs are: Shara Aranoff, International Trade. Ms. ...
Ruixue Ran Named One of Top 15 IP Lawyers in China
December 28, 2016
BEIJING—Asian Legal Business has named Covington partner Ruixue Ran as one of its fifteen “Top IP Lawyers” in China. Ms. Ran is the only lawyer from a non-Chinese law firm on the list. Ms. Ran is one of the few Chinese lawyers who specialize in cross-border intellectual property law and is often called upon to share her knowledge with Chinese companies and ...
International Trade MVP: Covington's Shara Aranoff
December 9, 2016, Law360
Law360 selected Shara Aranoff as a 2016 International Trade MVP and profiled her work over the past year, including her representation of South32 and Union Pacific Railroad Co. at the ITC. Law360 also highlights Aranoff’s ongoing defense of China’s Baosteel Group in a Section 337 case, the first antitrust-based investigation at the ITC in more than 25 ...
November 18, 2016, The Litigation Daily
Sturgis Sobin, Derek Ludwin, and James O’Connell were named “Litigators of the Week” by The Litigation Daily for an initial determination at the ITC on behalf of Baosteel in the first price-fixing case in almost 40 years at the agency, terminating U.S. Steel’s antitrust claim. According to Sobin, the argument was as much about educating the judge about the ...
Fall 2016, AIPLA Quarterly Journal, Vol. 44, No. 4
Kurt Calia Named One of California's Top IP Lawyers
August 22, 2016
SILICON VALLEY—The Daily Journal has named Covington partner Kurt Calia to its list of the “Top Intellectual Property Attorneys in California for 2016.” The list recognizes California lawyers who have “pushed technological progress forward.” The Daily Journal highlighted Mr. Calia’s successful representation of Elbit Systems in a patent litigation involving the ...
National Law Journal Names Covington to "IP Hot List”
June 14, 2016
WASHINGTON—The National Law Journal has named Covington to its “2016 IP Hot List,” recognizing it as one of 15 firms that “set the bar in intellectual property law in 2015, scoring big wins for clients.” Covington was also one of only two firms last month to receive the highest rating from Chambers USA in its nationwide categories for Intellectual Property and ...
May 13, 2015, Covington E-Alert
- The National Law Journal, 2019 Washington “Litigation Department of the Year” winner (2019)
- The American Lawyer, 2018 California "Litigation Department of the Year" winner (2018)
- Am Law Litigation Daily, Sturgis Sobin, Derek Ludwin, and James O'Connell, “Litigators of the Week“ (11/18/2016)
- Managing Intellectual Property - Recognized in the North American category as the "International Trade Commission Firm of the Year" (2010, 2014)
- The American Lawyer, "2014 Litigation Department of the Year" Finalist (2014)
- Chambers USA - Recognized as a leading National Intellectual Property Practice and a leading International Trade: Intellectual Property (Section 337) Practice (2009-2019)
- Chambers Global - Recognized as a leading US International Trade: Intellectual Property (Section 337) (2010-2019) and US Intellectual Property Practice (2010-2018)
- Chambers Global - Six attorneys recognized for Intellectual Property (2016-2018)
- Chambers Asia-Pacific - Recognized as a leader in the category South Korea: Intellectual Property; two attorneys recognized for Intellectual Property (2016-2019)
- Chambers USA's - America's Leading Business Lawyers - Three attorneys recognized for Intellectual Property (2015-2019), three attorneys recognized for International Trade: Intellectual Property (Section 337) (2010-2019)
- Intellectual Asset Management (IAM) Magazine - Recognized in the “IAM Patent 1000 - The World’s Leading Patent Practitioners” for its National International Trade Commission practice, three attorneys recognized in National - International Trade Commission
- The Best Lawyers in America - Eight attorneys recognized for Intellectual Property Law (2007-2019)
- Daily Journal - One attorney recognized among the Top IP Litigators in California (2016)
- The National Law Journal - Recognized on the Intellectual Property Hot List (2016)
- Chambers Europe - Recognized as a leader in the category: Belgium, Intellectual Property and one attorney recognized for Intellectual Property (2013)
- Legal 500 Asia Pacific, Intellectual Property (Foreign Firms) (2013)
- Legal 500 US - Recognized as a leading US practice in the areas of Patent Litigation: International Trade Commission and Patent Litigation: Full Coverage (2012-2017)
- Legal 500 UK - Recognized in its IP category (2011-2014)
- Two of our partners are Fellows of the American College of Trial Lawyers and one was elected a Vice Chair of the Complex Litigation Committee.
- One of our attorneys is a Past President of the ITC Trial Lawyers Association, the leading bar association for ITC practitioners.
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