Joseph Lanser's Article Featured in Consumer Goods Technology
"What You Should Know About the International Trade Commission"

Joseph Lanser's article, "What You Should Know About the International Trade Commission," was featured in the December 3, 2008 issue of Consumer Goods Technology. The article discusses how the International Trade Commission (ITC) is authorized by United States law to investigate whether consumer goods imported into the United States infringe U.S. intellectual property (IP) rights, such as patents, copyrights or trademarks, and, if there is infringement, prevent their importation. According to Joe, "An ITC investigation is very similar to a lawsuit, except that: (1) the ITC investigation is much faster (typically completed within 15 to 18 months); (2) the ITC investigation is decided only by an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) and not a jury; and (3) the sole remedy available to the complainant is an Exclusion Order that prevents the importation of the consumer good, and not any money damages." He concludes that "For these reasons, more and more U.S. IP owners prefer ITC investigations instead of lengthy and costly lawsuits. Also, because the Exclusion Order is enforced against the infringing consumer good, and not a specific company, more and more Asian companies are being brought into ITC investigations, and they now represent the largest group of respondents at the ITC."