美國華盛頓特區當地時間2020年12月1日,一家主要經營地在美國加州佛利蒙(Fremont)的公司ARK Diagnostics, Inc.根據《美國1930年關稅法》第337節規定向美國國際貿易委員會(USITC)提出申請,主張對美出口、在美進口及銷售的特定加巴噴丁免疫測定試劑盒和試紙及其組成和方法(Gabapentin Immunoassay Kits and Test Strips, Components Thereof, and Methods Therefor)侵犯了其美國專利權。涉案美國實用專利號為:8,828,665 (「665號專利」)和10,203,345 (「345號專利」)(「主張專利」)。
原告對包括Hangzhou All Test Biotech Co., Ltd.等在內的三家中國企業被告提起337調查申請(調查案號337-TA-3511)(詳見2020年12月1日公布的起訴狀,連結為:https://edis.usitc.gov/external/attachment/726848-1591443.pdf;商務部連結為:http://www.cacs.mofcom.gov.cn/cacscms/article/ssqdc?articleId=167164&type=)。
原告主要請求ITC:
1. 立即根據《美國1930年關稅法》第337節(經修訂,《美國法典》第19編第1337條),展開調查被告涉嫌侵犯以上主張專利或以受主張專利保護的方法製造、生產和/或加工的產品為進口到美國而銷售、進口和/或進口後在美國境內銷售等違反第337節的行為;
(Institute an immediate investigation pursuant to Section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended, 19 U.S.C. § 1337, into the violation of Section 337 based on the sale for importation into the United States, importation, and/or sale within the United States after importation of Respondents』 Accused Products that infringe, or are made, produced and/or processed by means of a process covered by the Asserted Patents.)
2. 根據第337節(c)安排庭審以收集證據並聽取關於是否違反第337節的論據,並在庭審後裁定被告違反第337節;
(Schedule and conduct a hearing pursuant to Section 337(c),for purposes of receiving evidence and hearing argument concerning whether there has been a violation of Section 337,and following the hearing to determine that there has been a violation of Section 337.)
3. 發布永久性的有限排除令,禁止在美國境內進口、為進口而銷售或進口後銷售被告涉嫌侵犯以上主張專利或以受主張專利保護的方法製造、生產和/或加工的產品進入美國;
(Issue a permanent limited exclusion order forbidding entry into the United States of Accused Products that are imported, sold for importation, or sold after importation by Respondents that infringe, or are made, produced and/or processed by means of a process covered by the Asserted Patents.)
4. 根據《美國法典》第19編第1337(f),發布永久性禁止令,命令每一家被告停止在美國境內的進口、銷售、要約銷售、營銷、廣告、包裝、分銷、轉讓或招攬銷售以受主張專利保護的方法製造、生產和/或加工的侵犯以上主張專利產品的行為;
(Issue permanent cease and desist orders, pursuant to Section 337(f), directing Respondents to cease and desist from the importation, sale, offer for sale, marketing, advertising, packaging, distribution, transfer, or solicitation of any sale by Respondents of gabapentin immunoassays that are made, produced and/or processed by means of a process covered by the Asserted Patents.)
5. 根據《美國法典》第19編第1337(e)和(j),被告如在60天總統審查期內繼續進口侵犯以上主張專利或以受主張專利保護的方法製造、生產和/或加工的產品,則命令被告提供保證金,防止進一步損害原告和主張專利有關的本地產業;
(Impose a bond, pursuant to 19 U.S.C. §§ 1337(e), (j), upon Proposed Respondents』 importation of the Accused Products that infringe, or are made, produced and/or processed by means of a process covered by the Asserted Patents during the 60-day Presidential review period to prevent further injury to ARK’s domestic industry relating to the Asserted Patents.)
6.根據訴狀及ITC調查所確定的事實並依法決定,委員會認為適當的所有其他和進一步救濟。
(Grant all such other and further relief as it deems appropriate under the law,based upon the facts complained of herein and as determined by the investigation.)
被原告列為被告的三家中國企業的詳細信息如下:
1.Hangzhou All Test Biotech Co., Ltd.
2.Shanghai Chemtron Biotech Co., Ltd.
3.Zhejiang Orient Gene Biotech Co., Ltd.
附:美國337調查相關講解和大成(Dentons)美國337調查團隊簡介(一)上海商務委「上海公平貿易」:Mark Hogge律師和楊乾武律師音頻(英文)和視頻(中文)講座:「美國ITC337調查與訴訟之中國企業制勝策略」,連結為:https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/sF_hNvsZV8gZxl4Je0cPEA(二)商務部中國貿易救濟信息網:Mark Hogge律師和楊乾武律師:《337調查首次被訴之專利侵權案策略分析》, http://www.cacs.mofcom.gov.cn/article/flfwpt/jyjdy/zjdy/202006/164616.html大成(Dentons)美國337調查團隊在337調查領域享有盛譽,2020年大成被業內著名評價機構Patexia評選為2020年「在美國國際貿易委員會代理被告最佳表現律師事務所」。主要負責人Mark Hogge律師被美國錢伯斯評為「美國智慧財產權訴訟領域領軍人物」;楊乾武律師被中國司法部評選為「全國涉外律師人才」,並被廣東省律師協會和深圳市律師協會評選為「涉外律師領軍人才」,在涉外智慧財產權訴訟領域經驗豐富;Nicholas Jackson律師是一位經驗豐富的ITC訴訟律師和專利律師。他曾在ITC調查以及聯邦法院上訴中,成功地代表原告、被告和第三方,他在機械和電子技術領域均具有豐富經驗。大成美國337調查團隊在Mark Hogge律師的帶領下,代理的案件超過50件,其中涉及中國內地和中國臺灣的案件至今有7件。深圳市福田區深南大道1006號國際創新中心A棟3層、4層電郵:qianwu.yang@dentons.cnDentons Washington D.C. office1900 K St NW, Washington, DC 20006電郵: mark.hogge@dentons.com