ITC Seeks Comment on Possible Patent Exclusion Order for Sigma and Vizio Chips, Set-Tops, DTVs

The International Trade Commission seeks comment by June 18 on a potential limited exclusion order banning import by Sigma and Vizio of semiconductor devices used in consumer audiovisual devices that infringe patents held by Broadcom, it says in Thursday's Federal Register. The ITC began its underlying Tariff Act Section 337 investigation in 2017, based on allegations that Sigma, Vizio and several other companies are making and using system-on-chip and similar processing components and circuits for digital TVs, set-top boxes, Blu-Ray disc players, DVD players/recorders, DTV/DVD combinations, multimedia streaming players, home theater systems and other such audiovisual devices and systems. The ITC is also considering a cease and desist order against Vizio. That company didn't comment Wednesday. Silicon Labs declined to comment on specifics of the complaint. The company bought Z-Wave assets of Sigma Designs in April (see 1804180064), a Silicon Labs spokesman noted. "This ITC matter relates to Sigma’s video products. We did not buy those products from Sigma, and therefore we have no involvement in this matter." Sigma didn't comment.