USITC Institutes Section 337 Investigation of Certain Smart Televisions

The U.S. International Trade Commission (Commission or USITC) voted to institute an investigation of certain smart televisions. The products at issue in the investigation are described in the Commission's notice of investigation.

The investigation is based on a complaint filed by Cerence Operating Company of Burlington, Massachusetts, on August 4, 2025, and supplemented on August 25, 2025, September 8, 2025, and September 11, 2025. 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 smart televisions that infringe patents asserted by the complainant. The complainant requests that the USITC issue a limited exclusion order and cease and desist orders.

The USITC has identified the following respondents in this investigation:

• Sony Group Corporation of Tokyo, Japan
• Sony Corporation of America of New York, New York
• Sony Electronics Inc. of San Diego, California
• TCL Industries Holdings Co., Ltd. of Guangdong, China
• TCL Technology Group Corporation of Guangdong, China
• TCL Electronics Holdings Limited of New Territories, Hong Kong
• Manufacturas Avanzadas, S.A. de C.V. of Chihuahua, Mexico
• Shenzhen TCL New Technology Co., Ltd. of Nanshan, China
• T.C.L. Industries Holdings (H.K.) Limited of New Territories, Hong Kong
• TCL King Electrical Appliances (Huizhou) Company Limited of Huizhou, China
• TCL Optoelectronics Technology (Huizhou) Co., Ltd. of Huizhou, China
• TCL Overseas Marketing Limited of New Territories, Hong Kong
• TCL Smart Device (Vietnam) Company Limited of Binh Duong Province, Vietnam
• TTE Corporation of New Territories, Hong Kong
• TTE Technology, Inc. (d/b/a TCL North America) of Corona, California

By instituting this investigation (337-TA-1461), 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.