Lifetime Complaint Leads To The International Trade Commission Instituting An Investigation Against Russell Brands

Feb. 1, 2017

CLEARFIELD, UTAH (February 1, 2017) – The International Trade Commission (“ITC”) instituted an investigation against Russell Brands, LLC d/b/a/ Spalding (“Russell”) and Reliable Sports Equipment (Wujiang) Co. Ltd ("Reliable”) related to certain basketball backboard components and products containing the same. 

On December 30, 2016, Lifetime Products, Inc. (“Lifetime”) filed a Verified Complaint under Section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 alleging that the defendants import into the United States, sell for import into the United States and sell in the United States after importation certain basketball products that infringe United States patents owned by Lifetime.  Specifically, Lifetime asserts that the respondents’ products infringe certain claims of patent nos. 7,749,111, 8,845,463, and 8,852,034 (the “Asserted Patents”).  The Asserted Patents relate to constructing a basketball backboard using a bead of robotically applied liquid adhesive between the backboard and the frame. 

 

Through its complaint, Lifetime requests that the ITC issue a Limited Exclusion Order barring any product that infringes one or more claims of the Asserted Patents from entry into the United States.  Lifetime also requests that the ITC issue a cease and desist order prohibiting Russell or Reliable from importing or selling any infringing product in the United States.

Lifetime has a long history of enforcing its intellectual property rights.  This action represents the first time that Lifetime has filed a complaint with the ITC.  Lifetime continues to monitor the international market for products that infringe its patents and will take action in the appropriate forum to enforce its intellectual property rights when necessary. 

Established in 1986, Lifetime Products is a privately held company headquartered in Clearfield, Utah. Lifetime Products manufactures residential basketball equipment as well as other consumer products, including state-of-the-art tables, chairs, storage sheds and watersports products.