U.S. ITC Initiates 337 Investigation on STIIIZY and ALD

Regulations by 2FIRSTS, edited by Sophia
Mar.01.2024
U.S. ITC Initiates 337 Investigation on STIIIZY and ALD
ITC launches investigation into e-cigarette companies STIIIZY and ALD for alleged patent infringement based on complaint by PAX Labs.

On February 29, according to the official website of the United States International Trade Commission (ITC), the ITC has decided to conduct a Section 337 investigation on certain atomization devices, their components, and products containing the same products. This investigation involves companies such as STIIIZY and ALD.

 

This investigation is based on a complaint filed by PAX Labs Inc. on January 30, 2024, and supplemented on February 19, 20, and 21, 2024. The complaint alleges infringement of patents claimed by the complainant, involving the import and sale of certain oil vaporization devices, their components, and products containing the same in the United States. The complainant has requested the ITC to issue a limited exclusion order and a cease and desist order.

 

ITC has identified the following respondents in this investigation:

 

  • STIIIZY IP LLC, formerly known as STIIIZY, LLC, located in Los Angeles, California, USA; 
  • ALD Group Limited, based in Guangdong, China; 
  • ALD (Hong Kong) Holdings Limited, located in Hong Kong, China; 
  • STIIIZY Inc., also known as Shryne Group Inc., situated in Los Angeles, California, USA. 

 

The International Trade Commission (ITC) has not made any decisions yet on the substantive issues of the case initiated through investigation (337-TA-1392). The Chief Administrative Law Judge of the ITC will assign this case to an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ), who will schedule and conduct an evidentiary hearing. The ALJ will make an initial determination on whether there is a violation of Section 337, which can be reviewed by the Commission.

 

Within 45 days of the investigation being initiated, the ITC will determine the target date for completing the investigation. Remedial orders in ITC Section 337 cases take effect upon publication and become final within 60 days of publication, unless vetoed by the United States Trade Representative for policy reasons within that 60-day period.

 

Previously, according to a report by Bloomberg on January 30th, e-cigarette manufacturer Pax Labs Inc. has filed a lawsuit against its competitor Stiiizy Inc. and its manufacturer ALD Group Ltd (ALD) for infringing on four of its patents.

 

Pax Labs alleges that Stiiizy and ALD, headquartered in Hong Kong, China, are manufacturing and selling vaporization devices, including batteries and pods, in a manner similar to Pax Labs' patented technology.

 

Pax Labs has obtained U.S. patents 11,369,756, 11,369,757, 11,766,527, and 11,759,580, which are related to methods for leak-proof pods and related devices. Pax Labs has alleged that these two companies have infringed upon the aforementioned patents.

 

We welcome news tips, article submissions, interview requests, or comments on this piece.

Please contact us at info@2firsts.com, or reach out to Alan Zhao, CEO of 2Firsts, on LinkedIn


Notice

1.  This article is intended solely for professional research purposes related to industry, technology, and policy. Any references to brands or products are made purely for objective description and do not constitute any form of endorsement, recommendation, or promotion by 2Firsts.

2.  The use of nicotine-containing products — including, but not limited to, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouchand heated tobacco products — carries significant health risks. Users are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.

3.  This article is not intended to serve as the basis for any investment decisions or financial advice. 2Firsts assumes no direct or indirect liability for any inaccuracies or errors in the content.

4.  Access to this article is strictly prohibited for individuals below the legal age in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright

 

This article is either an original work created by 2Firsts or a reproduction from third-party sources with proper attribution. All copyrights and usage rights belong to 2Firsts or the original content provider. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or any other form of unauthorized use by any individual or organization is strictly prohibited. Violators will be held legally accountable.

For copyright-related inquiries, please contact: info@2firsts.com

 

AI Assistance Disclaimer

 

This article may have been enhanced using AI tools to improve translation and editorial efficiency. However, due to technical limitations, inaccuracies may occur. Readers are encouraged to refer to the cited sources for the most accurate information.

We welcome any corrections or feedback. Please contact us at: info@2firsts.com

Product | Labeled “Built in the USA” + 33mL Total E-Liquid, iJOY XP100K E-Cigarette Launched in the U.S.
Product | Labeled “Built in the USA” + 33mL Total E-Liquid, iJOY XP100K E-Cigarette Launched in the U.S.
iJOY Launches New IJOY XP100K E-Cigarette on Official Website. The product adopts a combined structure of “pod + power bank + refill e-liquid bottle,” comes pre-filled with 18mL of e-liquid and includes 15mL of refill liquid. It is officially claimed to deliver up to approximately 100,000 puffs, and its packaging bears the wording “BUILT IN THE USA.” It has already gone on sale through some online channels in the United States, with the kit priced at US$19.99.
Apr.08 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Philip Morris Korea to Launch IQOS Iluma i One “Electric Purple” Color, Expanding Into Major Convenience Store Channels From May
Philip Morris Korea to Launch IQOS Iluma i One “Electric Purple” Color, Expanding Into Major Convenience Store Channels From May
Philip Morris Korea said on March 31 that it will begin selling the new “Electric Purple” color for the heated tobacco device IQOS Iluma i One at major convenience stores nationwide in South Korea starting May 2. The color will first be introduced on April 10 at the official IQOS online store and nine IQOS directly operated stores nationwide. To mark the expansion of its sales channels, the company will run promotions at major convenience stores through May 20.
Mar.31
Can hookah go institutional? A hookah company seeking to go public makes its case with capital, technology and regulation
Can hookah go institutional? A hookah company seeking to go public makes its case with capital, technology and regulation
2Firsts explored whether hookah can evolve into a more mature and governable category by interviewing Dubai-based hookah company AIR. AIR argues that strong margins, OOKA’s closed-system model and the prospect of differentiated regulation could support that shift. The larger question is whether this is simply AIR’s capital-markets narrative, or an early sign that competition, regulation and category boundaries in hookah are beginning to change.
Apr.02
Malaysian Tobacco Control Groups Call for Annual 5% Tobacco Tax Hike
Malaysian Tobacco Control Groups Call for Annual 5% Tobacco Tax Hike
According to The Star and The Edge Malaysia, tobacco control groups in Malaysia have urged the government to raise tobacco taxes by at least 5% annually, saying the measure could reduce smoking rates and fund public health and social programmes.
News
May.26
ELFBAR Resolves Global Dispute Over "ELF" Trademark with VPR Brands LP
ELFBAR Resolves Global Dispute Over "ELF" Trademark with VPR Brands LP
ELFBAR announces global settlement with VPR Brands LP over "ELF" trademark dispute, covering major markets like US, Canada, UK.
Apr.01 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Turning Point Brands Reports Q1 2026 Net Sales of $124.3 Million as Modern Oral Net Sales Rise 133%
Turning Point Brands Reports Q1 2026 Net Sales of $124.3 Million as Modern Oral Net Sales Rise 133%
Turning Point Brands reported first-quarter 2026 results on May 7, covering the period ended March 31, 2026. Total consolidated net sales were $124.3 million, up 16.8% year on year. Gross profit was $68.3 million, up 14.6%, while net income fell 19.0% to $11.7 million. Adjusted EBITDA declined 6.5% to $25.9 million.
May.08 by 2FIRSTS.ai