U.S. companies alleging patent infringement by competitors often file section 337 complaints in addition to filing lawsuits. Many section 337 complaints result in a settlement.

Apple has been involved in a series of patent disputes with competitors in recent months, both as the company originating the complaints and as the company accused of infringing patents. Apple and smartphone maker HTC have accused each other of patent infringement, and the USITC in May announced it would investigate Eastman Kodak after Apple filed a complaint about patents relating to digital imaging devices and software.

The IDG News Service