The investigation is based on a complaint filed by Gertrude Neumark Rothschild that seeks to block US imports of products she says infringe her patent for light-emitting diodes and laser diodes, according to a statement yesterday on the commission's Web site.
Rothschild, a retired Columbia University professor, filed her complaint on February 20.
Rothschild made a “seminal breakthrough” in the production of blue, ultraviolet and white light, her lawyer Albert Jacobs of Dreier LLP said in New York last month. Blue and ultraviolet LEDs, which use less electricity than red LEDs, are used in computers, traffic lights, instrument panels and as the background color for mobile-phone screens.
Sony spokesman Ikuma Nakagawa declined to comment. Calls to Nokia spokeswoman Arja Suominen’s office weren’t answered.
The ITC is a government agency that aims to protect the US market from unfair trade practices, including patent infringement.
The commission “has not yet made any decision on the merits of the case,” the statement said. Other companies named in the investigation include Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Hitachi Ltd., Motorola Inc., and Toshiba Corp.