Anu IP LLP Wins Important ITC Ruling in Retractable USB Infringement Claim

HOUSTON – The U.S. International Trade Commission will investigate claims filed by Marshall, Texas-based Anu IP LLP against tech giants Toshiba, Panasonic, Samsung and others based on the alleged infringement of two patents that cover retractable USB technology.

Anu IP is represented by attorneys Demetrios Anaipakos, Amir Alavi and Steven Mitby, partners in the Houston complex commercial litigation and intellectual property law firm AZA, or AZA, and co-counsel Andrew Spangler and James “Tripp” Fussell III of Spangler & Fussell P.C..

In April 2012, AZA filed a complaint with the U.S. International Trade Commission seeking a Section 337 investigation into claims that more than 30 technology and electronics companies were illegally importing and selling products that infringe Anu IP’s U.S. Patent Nos. 6,979,210 and 7,090,515. The ‘210 and ‘515 patents cover technology used in retractable USB devices, including cameras, camcorders, MP3 players and thumb drives.

On May 18, 2012, the ITC unanimously voted to start the investigation in In the Matter of Certain Electronic Devices Having a Retractable USB Connector, No. 337-TA-843. The ITC investigation is featured in the Law360 article, “ITC To Probe Toshiba, Samsung, Others Over Thumb Drives.”

Last month in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, AZA filed patent infringement lawsuits against the same tech companies over the alleged infringement of the two contested patents.

AZA, or Ahmad, Zavitsanos & Mensing, is a Houston-based law firm that is home to true courtroom lawyers with a formidable track record in complex commercial litigation, including energy, intellectual property, securities fraud, construction and business dispute cases. AZA is one of only 32 firms in the U.S. to be recognized as “awesome opponents” in a nationwide poll of corporate general counsel who were asked to name the law firms they hope their companies never have to face in court. Visit the firm’s website at https://azalaw.com.