In an investigation initiated by LED chip, lamp and lighting fixture maker Cree Inc of Durham, NC, USA against lighting company Feit Electric Company Inc of Pico Rivera, CA, USA, an administrative law judge (ALJ) of the US International Trade Commission (ITC) on 29 July issued an Initial Determination that one patent asserted by Cree was not infringed, five patents asserted by Cree were infringed and not invalid, and that now discontinued products were falsely advertised.
Now, in response, Feit says it believes that the adverse findings in the Initial Determination are based on multiple errors that will be corrected in the forthcoming review phase of the investigation. The firm hence intends to pursue all other remedies as may be available to overturn the Initial Determination. Feit is represented by Alston & Bird and McCarter & English in the ITC investigation.
"We are fully committed to the quality of our products and to meeting ENERGY STAR certification requirements," says president Aaron Feit. "We do not believe that the Initial Determination as presently issued will have any adverse effect on our company and we are committed to bringing innovative energy-saving LED lighting to the market," he adds. "We believe that Cree's actions are detrimental to the adoption of energy efficient lighting."
In July 2015, Feit Electric initiated an action against Cree for infringing two Feit Electric patents. The case is pending in the US District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina.
