On July 20, 2015, Trico Products Corp. of Rochester Hills, Michigan ("Trico") filed a complaint requesting that the ITC commence an investigation pursuant to Section 337.
The complaint alleges that Valeo North America, Inc. of Troy, Michigan and Delmex de Juarez S. de R.L. de C.V. of Mexico (collectively, "Valeo") unlawfully import into the U.S., sell for importation, and/or sell within the U.S. after importation certain windscreen wipers and components thereof that infringe one or more claims of U.S. Patent Nos. 6,836,925 (the '925 patent) and 6,799,348 (the '348 patent) (collectively, the "asserted patents"). Please note that Oblon represents Valeo in this matter.
According to the complaint, the asserted patents generally relate to windscreen wiper technology. In particular, the '925 patent relates to a windscreen wiper and the interrelation of certain elements to maximize the efficiency of the wiper. The '348 patent relates to a windscreen wiper and coupler that minimize the overall height of a wiper blade while maximizing wind flow and visibility and, at the same time, ensuring optimized wiper performance.
In the complaint, Trico states that Valeo imports and sells products that infringe the asserted patents. The complaint specifically refers to Valeo's Ford Motorcraft WW-2600 BB5Z-17528-E beam blades and Gen2 U-28 beam blades as representative infringing products.
Regarding domestic industry, Trico states that it conducts significant domestic industry activities in the U.S. relating to products that practice the asserted patents, including research, development, manufacturing, education, training, sales, customer support, and warranty services.
With respect to potential remedy, Trico requests that the Commission issue a limited exclusion order and a cease and desist order directed at Valeo and related entities.
