U.S. International Trade Commission Starts Investigation into Certain Semiconductor Devices
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The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) has begun an investigation into possible patent violations related to semiconductor devices. This investigation started after a complaint was filed on November 17, 2025. The complainants are Adeia, Inc., Adeia Semiconductor Bonding Technologies, Inc., and Adeia Holdings Inc., all located in San Jose, California.
The complaint claims that some companies have imported, sold for import, or sold in the U.S. certain semiconductor devices, computing products with those devices, and their parts. The complaint says these actions may violate section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930. It is based on the claimed infringement of these U.S. patents: No. 11,978,681, No. 12,199,069, No. 12,322,650, and No. 12,381,173.
The investigation will focus on whether there was a violation of the law by bringing into the United States, selling for import, or selling after import, the products listed. The products targeted are:
- AMD semiconductor devices, including processors and integrated circuits with hybrid bonded or direct bonded structures.
- Computing devices, such as servers, desktops, and laptops, that have or use these AMD semiconductor devices.
The Commission will also decide if an industry in the United States exists or is being set up, as required by the law.
The named companies accused of violating the law are:
- Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (AMD) of Santa Clara, California
- Lenovo (United States) Inc. of Morrisville, North Carolina
- Lenovo Group Limited of Hong Kong
- Lenovo Information Products (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. of Shenzhen, China
- Super Micro Computer, Inc. of San Jose, California
These companies must reply to the complaint and notice of investigation within 20 days after receiving the documents. If any company does not respond in time, the Commission may decide the facts as stated by the complainants. This could lead to a limited exclusion order or a cease and desist order against the company.
The investigation will be run by an Administrative Law Judge as named by the Chief Administrative Law Judge of the U.S. International Trade Commission. The judge will hear arguments and review evidence from all interested parties. The findings must focus on public interest factors set in federal law.
The public version of the complaint is available on the Commission’s electronic docket at https://edis.usitc.gov. Anyone needing special help to access USITC buildings should contact the Office of the Secretary at (202) 205-2000.
The notice was issued by Lisa Barton, Secretary to the Commission, on December 16, 2025.
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