notice Published 2025-12-22

Certain Low-Profile Microwave-Hood Combination Products; Notice of Institution of Investigation

📌 ETDETA brief — importer impact summary (educational)

Brief takeaway: The ITC has opened a Section 337 patent-infringement investigation into certain low-profile microwave-hood combination products, which could eventually lead to import restrictions on infringing goods.

What changed: According to the notice, the ITC instituted an investigation based on a complaint filed by Whirlpool Corporation alleging that the importation and sale of certain low-profile microwave-hood combination products infringe several U.S. patents. The notice states the complainant requests a limited exclusion order and cease and desist orders, which the Commission may issue if it finds a violation.

Who's affected: The notice names low-profile microwave-hood combination products as the accused product category. It cites U.S. Patent Nos. 11,079,118; 11,979,967; 12,101,865; 12,133,317; and 12,289,819 B2. No HTS codes or countries of origin are specified in the notice.

What to review:
- Review whether your imported products fall within the described low-profile microwave-hood combination product category.
- Confirm with your customs broker or counsel whether any goods you import may implicate the patents cited in the notice.
- Check for later ITC filings, remedial orders, or exclusion orders that may result from this investigation.
- Confirm the current status of the proceeding and any applicable deadlines with trade counsel.

This is general information, not legal advice and not a compliance determination — confirm specifics with a licensed customs broker or trade counsel.

Official notice

Notice is hereby given that a complaint was filed with the U.S. International Trade Commission on November 18, 2025, under section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended, on behalf of Whirlpool Corporation of Benton Harbor, Michigan. A supplement to the complaint was filed on December 4, 2025. The complaint, as supplemented, alleges violations of section 337 based upon the importation into the United States, the sale for importation, and the sale within the United States after importation of certain low-profile microwave-hood combination products by reason of the infringement of certain claims of U.S. Patent No. 11,079,118 ("the '118 patent"); U.S. Patent No. 11,979,967 ("the '967 patent"); U.S. Patent No. 12,101,865 ("the '865 patent"); U.S. Patent No. 12,133,317 ("the '317 patent"); and U.S. Patent No. 12,289,819 B2 ("the '819 patent"). The complaint further alleges that an industry in the United States exists as required by the applicable Federal Statute. The complainant requests that the Commission institute an investigation and, after the investigation, issue a limited exclusion order and cease and desist orders.

Source: Federal Register · International Trade Commission · Read the official notice ↗

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This update is a general educational summary based on public CBP CSMS / Federal Register information. It is not legal advice, customs broker advice, a final classification, duty determination, entry instruction, or compliance determination. Importers should confirm applicability, effective dates, HTSUS/Chapter 99 reporting, rates, refunds, PSC procedures, and filing instructions with their licensed customs broker, trade counsel, and/or CBP.