WASHINGTON (Kyodo) The U.S. International Trade Commission is investigating whether Sony Corp.'s digital cameras and cell phones with digital-image capabilities are infringing a patent owned by a U.S. company, the ITC said Wednesday.
The investigation is based on a complaint filed in July by Ampex Corp. The Redwood City, Calif.-based company alleges the Sony products are infringing on its patent on digital image storage and retrieval devices. Ampex asked the ITC to issue an injunction against imports and sales of Sony products.
"The ITC will make a final determination in the investigation at the earliest practicable time," the independent federal agency said in a statement. "Within 45 days after institution of the investigation, the ITC will set a target date for completing the investigation."
In May, Ampex filed a similar patent infringement complaint against Sanyo Electric Co. of Japan.