ITC Seeks Comments on Public Interest Impact of Google Import Ban

Comments are due Sept. 13 at the International Trade Commission on the public interest ramifications of an import ban on Google smart speakers and other devices if the agency affirms Friday’s initial determination of Chief Administrative Law Judge Charles Bullock that the devices violate Tariff Act Section 337 protections against unfair competition by infringing five Sonos multiroom audio patents, said a notice (login required) Monday in docket 337-TA-1191. Bullock’s recommended sanctions against Google and their rationale are contained in his 200-page findings that remained marked confidential Monday. The commission’s final determination is due Dec. 13. It seeks public feedback about whether Sonos or third-party suppliers “have the capacity to replace the volume of articles potentially subject to the recommended orders within a commercially reasonable time,” and how the recommended import ban would affect U.S. consumers.