Author: Lin Fei Source: IT Times
Recently, the US company GoPro filed an application with the US International Trade Commission (itc) to initiate a "337 investigation". The application alleged that specific cameras and cameras were exported to the United States, imported into the United States, or sold in the United States. The system and its supporting accessories infringe its patent rights, and it also applies for the issuance of a limited exclusion order and an injunction. In the application, GoPro directly pointed out that the company involved in patent infringement is Insta360 Shadow Stone Technology, which is famous for building panoramic cameras.
"337 Investigation" is a special investigation procedure conducted by ITC in accordance with Section 337 of the U.S. Tariff Act of 1930. It aims to prevent imported goods from using unfair competition methods such as intellectual property infringement. Impact on U.S. domestic industries. During the
337 investigation, if it is found that unfair trade practices do exist, ITC has the right to issue an exclusion order or a cease and desist order. An exclusion order usually means that the relevant infringing products will be prohibited from being imported into the U.S. market, while a cease and desist order requires the relevant companies to stop unfair trade practices in the United States.
Previously, Chinese companies such as Lenovo Group, Hengtong Optoelectronics, Zhongtian Technology, FiberHome Communications, YOFC, TCL, Hisense, etc. have all experienced the "337 investigation" of ITC.
gopro claimed in the application that at least ten products of insta360 are suspected of infringing on its intellectual property rights.
In response to GoPro's infringement accusations, Shadowstone Technology said in an interview with "it Times": "After careful comparative analysis with a team of professional lawyers in China and the United States, we are fully confident in winning the case. In order not to affect the subsequent investigation process, we We are currently unable to disclose too many details of the evidence. But we will resolutely defend the company’s rights to independent technological innovation.”
Last month, GoPro’s filing documents submitted to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission revealed that it plans to reduce its sales by 4% globally. employees and reduce office space to achieve operational cost compression. The layoffs are part of GoPro's large-scale restructuring strategy and are expected to save approximately $7.5 million. As of December 31, 2023, GoPro's total global employees were 930.
On the other hand, the market research organization Frost & Sullivan pointed out in the "2023 Global Smart Handheld Imaging Device Market Development Trend White Paper" released in October 2023 that from the perspective of sales volume, as an important field of smart handheld imaging equipment Panoramic cameras, one of the categories, will have global shipments of nearly 1.51 million units in 2022. Among them, insta360 occupies about 50% of the market share, far exceeding GoPro, which ranks second with a market share of 21.5%, and Japan's Ricoh, which ranks third. .
