notice Published 2026-07-07

Certain Vehicle Space Guards; Notice of Institution of Investigation

📌 ETDETA brief — importer impact summary (educational)

Brief takeaway: A Section 337 investigation has been opened over certain vehicle space guards accused of patent infringement, which could eventually lead to an order blocking their importation.

What changed: According to the notice, the U.S. International Trade Commission has instituted an investigation based on a complaint (amended and supplemented) alleging that certain vehicle space guards are imported, sold for importation, or sold after importation in violation of Section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930. The notice states the complaint alleges infringement of certain claims of U.S. Patent No. 7,527,314 and that the complainant requests a limited exclusion order and cease and desist orders.

Who's affected: The notice names "certain vehicle space guards" as the accused products and cites the complainant as Johnathan Black Kotyk of Atlantic Beach, Florida. No specific HTS codes or countries of origin are specified in the notice.

What to review:
- Review whether your imported products could fall within the described "vehicle space guards" category.
- Check with your broker or counsel whether U.S. Patent No. 7,527,314 may be relevant to your goods or suppliers.
- Confirm the current status and scope of the investigation, since exclusion or cease and desist orders are only requested, not yet issued.
- Review your supplier and product documentation in case the investigation proceeds.

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 June 1, 2026, under section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended, on behalf of Johnathan Black Kotyk of Atlantic Beach, Florida. An amended complaint was filed on June 17, 2026, and a supplement was filed on June 22, 2026. The amended 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 vehicle space guards by reason of the infringement of certain claims of U.S. Patent No. 7,527,314 ("the '314 patent"). The amended complaint, as supplemented, 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.