ITC rules in favor of Leviton

Leviton Manufacturing Co. has prevailed in a dispute over intellectual property rights involving Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs). On April 27, the International Trade Commission (ITC) issued a general exclusion order “prohibiting the unlicensed importation of infringing ground fault circuit interrupters and products containing same.” In addition, the ITC issued several cease and desist orders prohibiting the sale of GFCIs already in the United States that unlawfully infringe on a Leviton U.S. patent.

“We are hopeful that this decision brings an end to importation of infringing GFCIs,” said Meir Blonder, chief intellectual property counsel at Leviton. “Due to the nature of the product, it is important that both commercial and residential consumers be confident that the GFCIs available in the market are legitimate, lawful products.”



The general exclusion order not only brings an end to the unlawful activity of the parties accused at the ITC, but prohibits all entities from importing such infringing GFCIs, according to Leviton.



Leviton offers a wide variety of GFCI devices to provide protection from electrical incidents in homes, offices, construction sites or anywhere electrical products are in damp or wet locations. The Melville, N.Y.-based company also manufactures of electrical wiring devices, data center connectivity solutions and lighting energy management systems.