News Release 15-050
Inv. No(s). 337-TA-959
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819
The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) has voted to institute an investigation of certain electric skin care devices, brushes and chargers therefor, and kits containing the same. The products at issue in the investigation are electric devices with rapidly moving brush-heads for cleansing the skin.
The investigation is based on an amended complaint filed by Pacific Bioscience Laboratories, Inc., of Redmond, WA, on May 20, 2015. The complaint alleges violations of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 in the importation into the United States and sale of certain electric skin care devices, brushes and chargers therefor, and kits containing the same that infringe patents asserted by the complainant. The complainant requests that the USITC issue a general exclusion order and cease and desist orders.
The USITC has identified the following as respondents in this investigation:
Our Family Jewels, Inc., d/b/a Epipur Skincare of Parker, CO;
Accord Media LLC d/b/a Truth in Aging of New York, NY;
Xnovi Electronic Co., Ltd., of Shenzhen, China;
Michael Todd True Organics LP of Port St. Lucie, FL;
MTTO LLC of Port St. Lucie, FL;
Shanghai Anzikang Electric Co., Ltd., of Shanghai, China;
Nutra-Luxe M.D., LLC, of Fort Myers, FL;
Beauty Tech, Inc., of Coral Gables, FL;
Anex Corporation of Seoul, Republic of Korea;
RN Ventures Ltd., of London, United Kingdom;
Korean Beauty Co., Ltd., of Seoul, Republic of Korea;
H2Pro Beautylife, Inc., of Placentia, CA;
Serious Skin Care, Inc., of Carson City, NV;
Home Skinovations Inc. of Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada;
Home Skinovations Ltd. of Yokneam, Israel;
Wenzhou AI ER Electrical Technology Co., Ltd., d/b/a CNAIER of ZheJiang, China;
Coreana Cosmetics Co. Ltd., of Chungcheongnam-do, Republic of Korea;
Flageoli Classic Limited of Las Vegas, NV;
Jewlzie of New York, NY;
Unicos USA, Inc., of La Habra, CA; and
Skincarebyalana of Dana Point, CA.
By instituting this investigation (337-TA-959), the USITC has not yet made any decision on the merits of the case. The USITC’s Chief Administrative Law Judge will assign the case to one of the USITC’s administrative law judges (ALJ), who will schedule and hold an evidentiary hearing. The ALJ will make an initial determination as to whether there is a violation of section 337; that initial determination is subject to review by the Commission.
The USITC will make a final determination in the investigation at the earliest practicable time. Within 45 days after institution of the investigation, the USITC will set a target date for completing the investigation. USITC remedial orders in section 337 cases are effective when issued and become final 60 days after issuance unless disapproved for policy reasons by the U.S. Trade Representative within that 60-day period.