BUSINESS

U.S. Launches Patient Probe into Chinese and Other Asian LCD Makers

Published: Nov. 27, 2025 4:58 a.m. GMT+8

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TCL Electronics Holdings Ltd.’s televisions displayed at a store.

The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) has launched a Section 337 investigation into certain liquid crystal display (LCD) devices and components from companies based in China, Vietnam, South Korea, and the United States, over alleged patent infringement.

The decision, announced Monday, follows a complaint filed by BH Innovations LLC, Longitude Licensing Ltd. of Ireland, and 138 East LCD Advancements Ltd., which claim the targeted products violate their intellectual property rights under Section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930.

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The US ITC launched a Section 337 probe into LCD devices from 20 firms in China, Vietnam, South Korea, and the US over alleged patent infringement, following complaints from BH Innovations and others.
Major companies targeted include Hisense, TCL, LG Electronics, and Vizio; the complainants seek to block imports and halt domestic sales of infringing products.
Section 337 investigations can result in US import bans and domestic sales bans; similar ITC cases have previously involved Huawei, Luxshare, and US Conec.

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Who’s Who

Hisense Home Appliances Group Co. Ltd.: Hisense Home Appliances Group Co. Ltd. is a Chinese electronics firm that is among the 20 companies being investigated by the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC). This Section 337 investigation concerns alleged patent infringement related to certain liquid crystal display (LCD) devices and components. The complaint was filed by BH Innovations LLC, Longitude Licensing Ltd., and 138 East LCD Advancements Ltd.

TCL Technology Group Corp.: TCL Technology Group Corp., a major Chinese electronics firm, is one of 20 companies targeted in a U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) Section 337 investigation. The probe concerns alleged patent infringement related to certain liquid crystal display (LCD) devices and components. The complainants are seeking an import ban and cease-and-desist orders.

HKC Corp. Ltd.: HKC Corp. Ltd. (华科金公司) is a Chinese electronics firm that is among 20 companies being investigated by the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC). This investigation, launched under Section 337, concerns alleged patent infringement related to certain liquid crystal display (LCD) devices and components.

TCL Smart Device (Vietnam) Co. Ltd.: TCL Smart Device (Vietnam) Co. Ltd. is a Vietnam-based company that has been targeted in a Section 337 investigation by the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC). The investigation concerns alleged patent infringement related to certain liquid crystal display (LCD) devices and components. The company is one of 20 firms named in a complaint filed by BH Innovations LLC, Longitude Licensing Ltd., and 138 East LCD Advancements Ltd.

LG Electronics: LG Electronics, a South Korean company, is among the 20 firms targeted in a U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) investigation. The probe concerns alleged patent infringement related to liquid crystal display (LCD) devices and components. The complainants are seeking an import ban and cease-and-desist orders against the implicated products.

Vizio Holding Corp.: Vizio Holding Corp. is a U.S. firm targeted in a Section 337 investigation by the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC). The investigation, initiated due to a complaint by BH Innovations LLC, Longitude Licensing Ltd., and 138 East LCD Advancements Ltd., concerns alleged patent infringement related to certain liquid crystal display (LCD) devices and components.

TTE Technology Inc.: TTE Technology Inc. is an American company. It is among the 20 companies targeted in a Section 337 investigation launched by the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC). This investigation concerns alleged patent infringement related to certain liquid crystal display (LCD) devices and components. The complainants are seeking an import ban and cease-and-desist orders.

Westinghouse Electric Corp.: Westinghouse Electric Corp. is a U.S. firm that is being investigated by the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) in a Section 337 probe. This investigation concerns alleged patent infringement related to certain liquid crystal display (LCD) devices and components. The complaint was filed by BH Innovations LLC, Longitude Licensing Ltd., and 138 East LCD Advancements Ltd.

Huawei Technologies Ltd.: Huawei Technologies Ltd. was mentioned in the article as one of the Chinese tech firms that have been targeted in past Section 337 investigations by the U.S. International Trade Commission. This indicates that Huawei has previously been involved in cases concerning unfair import practices, likely related to intellectual property violations.

ZTE Corp.: ZTE Corp. is one of the Chinese tech firms that has been targeted in past Section 337 investigations by the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC). These probes address unfair import practices, particularly intellectual property violations. The article does not provide specific details about the nature or outcome of the investigation involving ZTE Corp.

Lenovo Group Ltd.: Lenovo Group Ltd. has been involved in past Section 337 investigations by the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC). These investigations typically address unfair import practices, particularly intellectual property violations. The article does not provide specific details about the outcomes or nature of the past investigation involving Lenovo.

DJI Technology Co. Ltd.: DJI Technology Co. Ltd. was among a list of Chinese tech firms that have been previously targeted in Section 337 investigations by the U.S. International Trade Commission. These probes typically address unfair import practices, particularly intellectual property violations.

Sany Heavy Industry Co. Ltd.: Sany Heavy Industry Co. Ltd. (三一重工股份有限公司) is a Chinese heavy equipment manufacturing company. It has been the subject of a Section 337 investigation by the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC), an inquiry that typically addresses unfair import practices, particularly intellectual property violations.

BOE Technology Group Co. Ltd.: BOE Technology Group Co. Ltd. is a Chinese electronics firm that has been targeted in past Section 337 investigations by the U.S. International Trade Commission. These probes typically address allegations of unfair import practices, particularly intellectual property violations.

Luxshare Precision Industry Co. Ltd.: Luxshare Precision Industry Co. Ltd. (立讯精密工业股份有限公司) is an Apple supplier. They were targeted in a 2020 Section 337 investigation by U.S. electronics firm Amphenol Corp. over connector patents. In 2022, the ITC ruled that an older Luxshare product infringed upon a patent, but newer versions had already superseded it in the U.S. market.

Amphenol Corp.: Amphenol Corp., a U.S. electronics firm, was involved in a Section 337 investigation. In 2020, they targeted Apple supplier Luxshare Precision Industry Co. Ltd. over connector patents. The ITC ruled in 2022 that an older Luxshare product had infringed a patent.

US Conec Ltd.: US Conec Ltd. is a US fiber optics company that filed a Section 337 complaint in 2024 against companies from China, Japan, and Germany. The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) initiated an investigation in April of that year, which was terminated in October after the parties reached a settlement.

BH Innovations LLC: BH Innovations LLC is one of the complainants in a Section 337 investigation launched by the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC). They claim that certain liquid crystal display (LCD) devices and components infringe upon their intellectual property rights. They are seeking a limited exclusion order and cease-and-desist orders.

Longitude Licensing Ltd.: Longitude Licensing Ltd. is an Irish company that, along with BH Innovations LLC and 138 East LCD Advancements Ltd., filed a complaint leading to a Section 337 investigation by the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC). They allege patent infringement by companies importing certain liquid crystal display (LCD) devices and components, claiming a violation of their intellectual property rights.

138 East LCD Advancements Ltd.: 138 East LCD Advancements Ltd. is one of the complainants in a Section 337 investigation launched by the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC). This company, along with BH Innovations LLC and Longitude Licensing Ltd. of Ireland, alleges patent infringement by various companies producing liquid crystal display (LCD) devices and components. They are seeking import bans and cease-and-desist orders.

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What Happened When

2020：: Apple supplier Luxshare Precision Industry Co. Ltd. was targeted by U.S. electronics firm Amphenol Corp. over connector patents.

2022：: The ITC ruled that one of Luxshare’s older products infringed a patent, though newer versions had already replaced it in the U.S. market.

April 2024：: The ITC initiated a Section 337 investigation, filed by US Conec Ltd., against firms from China, Japan, and Germany.

October 2024：: The ITC terminated the investigation initiated in April 2024 after the parties reached a settlement.

Monday, 2025：: The U.S. ITC announced the launch of a Section 337 investigation into certain LCD devices and components from China, Vietnam, South Korea, and the U.S., following a complaint by BH Innovations LLC, Longitude Licensing Ltd., and 138 East LCD Advancements Ltd.

Within 45 days of case institution (in 2025)：: The ITC must set a target date for completion of the Section 337 investigation.

60 days after the issuance of exclusion or cease-and-desist orders (in 2025)：: Unless overridden by the U.S. Trade Representative for policy reasons, any exclusion or cease-and-desist orders take final effect.

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