ITC Votes to Institute Patent Investigation on Ink Application Devices
The International Trade Commission has voted to institute an investigation of certain ink application devices and components thereof, and methods of using the same. The products at issue in this investigation are ink application devices used in tattooing and permanent makeup application - specifically, disposable needle cartridges designed to reduce health risks associated with the application (337-TA-832).
The investigation is based a complaint filed by MT. Derm GmbH of Germany and Nouveau Cosmetique USA Inc. of Orlando, Florida on January 30, 2012. The complaint alleges violations of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 in the importation into the U.S. and sale of certain ink application devices and components thereof, and methods of using the same, that infringe patents asserted by the complainants. The complainants request that the USITC issue an exclusion order and cease and desist orders.
The ITC has identified the following as respondents in this investigation:
- T-Tech Tattoo Device Inc of Canada;
- Yiwu Beyond Tattoo Equipments Co., Ltd. of China; and
- Guangzhou Pengcheng Cosmetology Firm of China.
Federal Register notice (FR Pub 03/06/12) available here.