ITC Issues Exclusion Order on E-Cigarette Cartridges

The International Trade Commission is issuing a limited exclusion order banning imports of e-cigarette cartridges from four companies that it has determined infringe patents held by Juul, it said in a notice. The order, which applies to DripTip Vapes, Shenzhen OVNS, Shenzhen Haka and Shenzhen OCIGA, concludes a Section 337 investigation that began in December 2018 (see 1812270023), based on allegations that companies mainly in the U.S. and China are manufacturing, importing and selling products that copy Juul's patented technologies, including for nicotine “pods,” mouthpieces, storage compartments and heaters. The ITC also issued cease and desist orders against DripTip, OVNS, Haka and OCIGA, and set bond at 281% for entries of covered products imported during the 60-day period the administration has to review the exclusion order.

(Federal Register 04/13/20, ITC Inv. No. 337-TA-1141)