‘Cheaper’ SharkNinja Vacuums Use Stolen IP: iRobot ITC Complaint

SharkNinja robotic floor cleaners and components infringe five iRobot patents dating to 2009, alleged iRobot in a Tariff Act Section 337 complaint (login required) Thursday at the International Trade Commission that seeks exclusion and cease-and-desist orders against the accused devices. IRobot’s “decades of dedication to innovation has earned it widespread applause and accolades, and established iRobot” in the robotic vacuum category, said the complaint. SharkNinja “entered the market segment only recently,” and “quickly became the second-largest domestic player” by stealing iRobot’s patented technology and embedding it in its “lower-quality imitations,” it said. The competitor “specifically marketed its products as cheaper alternatives to iRobot’s,” it said. SharkNinja didn’t comment Friday.