U.S. International Trade Commission: No Violation Found in Braiding Hair Patent Case
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The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) has concluded its investigation into certain pre-stretched synthetic braiding hair products and their packaging. The decision was announced on August 11, 2026, and it marks the termination of the investigation. The case was registered under Investigation No. 337-TA-1457.
The investigation began on August 7, 2025, following a complaint from JBS Hair, Inc., a company based in Atlanta, Georgia. JBS Hair claimed that certain pre-stretched synthetic braiding hair products imported into the U.S. violated section 337. The products allegedly infringed upon specific patents owned by JBS Hair. These patents included the ‘026 patent, the ‘301 patent, the ‘478 patent, and the ‘616 patent.
Several companies were named as respondents in the investigation. These included Sun Taiyang Co., Ltd., Hair Zone, Inc., Beauty Essence, Inc., SLI Production Corp., Mane Concept Inc., and Beauty Plus Trading Co., Inc. Additional respondents were Beauty Elements Corporation, Royal Imex, Inc., GS Imports, Inc., Eve Hair, Inc., Midway International, Inc., Mayde Beauty Inc., Model Model Hair Fashion, Inc., New Jigu Trading Corp., Shake N Go Fashion, Inc., Hair Plus Trading Co., Inc., Optimum Solution Group LLC, Chade Fashions, Inc., and Amekor Industries, Inc.
The administrative law judge (ALJ) released the Final Initial Determination on June 5, 2026. The ALJ found no violation of section 337. The judge said that the patents were either invalid or not infringed.
JBS Hair appealed the findings, but the ITC decided to review only some parts of the case. Concerning three patents, the Commission reviewed whether they were anticipated by previous products called the Asante Short Braid and Abuja Short Braid. The ITC took no position on this. For the ‘478 patent, the ITC affirmed some findings but chose not to take a position on other issues.
The ITC’s decision followed reviews of petitions from JBS Hair, respondents, and an independent party, the Office of Unfair Import Investigations.
The Commission’s review concluded with a finding of no violation, and no changes to the Final Initial Determination. The case can be further referenced in the Federal Register’s Volume 91, Number 153, listed as FR Doc. 2026-16303.
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