U.S. International Trade Commission Begins Investigation Into Fall Detection Wearable Devices
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The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) has started an investigation into certain wearable devices with fall detection and their components. The investigation relates to complaints made by UnaliWear, Inc., a company from Austin, Texas.
The complaint was filed on December 12, 2025. UnaliWear, Inc. claims that some products imported or sold in the United States infringe its patents. The patents mentioned are U.S. Patent No. 10,051,410 and U.S. Patent No. 10,687,193. The company also says there is an industry in the United States connected to these patents.
The ITC will look at the following products: “electronic watches with the capability to detect when a user has suffered a fall, and components thereof.” The investigation will focus on whether these devices are being imported, sold for importation, or sold in the U.S. after importation, in violation of Section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930.
The companies listed as respondents are:
- Apple, Inc., Cupertino, California
- Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Suwon-si, Republic of Korea
- Samsung Electronics America, Inc., Ridgefield Park, New Jersey
- Google LLC, Mountain View, California
- Garmin Ltd., Schaffhausen, Switzerland
- Garmin International, Inc., Olathe, Kansas
- Garmin USA, Inc., Olathe, Kansas
The ITC will decide if these companies have violated the law by infringing the patents. The Commission may issue orders to stop the sale and importation of such devices if a violation is found.
The presiding Administrative Law Judge will take evidence and hear arguments regarding the public interest. This will include looking at facts and making a recommendation.
The deadlines are firm. The named companies must respond to the complaint and notice of investigation within 20 days of receiving them. If they do not respond on time, they may lose the right to contest the allegations. The ITC could then issue an exclusion order or a cease and desist order against them.
More information about the investigation can be found at https://edis.usitc.gov or by contacting the Office of Unfair Import Investigations at the U.S. International Trade Commission.
Lisa Barton, Secretary to the Commission, signed the notice on January 8, 2026.
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