ITC Orders uPI to Pay $620,000 Penalty for Violations of Consent Order in DC-DC Controllers Patent Case

The International Trade Commission imposed a civil penalty of $620,000 on uPI Semiconductor for violations of a consent order in the Section 337 patent investigation of certain DC-DC controllers and products containing same (337-TA-698). The ITC also modified the consent order to clarify that the order applies (and has always applied) to all uPI affiliates. Complainant Richtek alleged uPI continued to import and sell the products in the U.S., in violation of a 2010 agreement that ended the investigation. An administrative law judge originally recommended a penalty of $750,000, but the ITC reversed and vacated some of the ALJ’s findings.