US launches patent probe into Sany's products

WASHINGTON - The US International Trade Commission (USITC) initiated a Section 337 investigation Thursday into Chinese multinational heavy machinery manufacturing company Sany for patent infringement.

The probe is grounded on a complaint filed by Manitowoc Cranes, LLC in the US state of Wisconsin on June 12, 2013, the USITC said in a statement.

Manitowoc Cranes accused Sany and its US entity of infringing its patents related to mobile cranes that use variable position counterweight (VPC) technology to improve operation and use of the cranes.

The US company requested an exclusion order and "cease and desist" orders, according to the federal bipartisan panel.

Should the complaint be approved, the panel will issue remedial orders, such as a ban of accused products.

There are no responses to the charge so far on Sany's websites.

The USITC will set a target date within 45 days for completing the investigation.

The investigation is the sixth one the USITC has launched so far this year involving Chinese companies. In earlier cases Huawei, ZTE and many other Chinese companies were also under USITC's scrutiny.