Hoshizaki America Secures Victory as ITC Issues Orders Against Blue Air and Bluenix for Patent Infringement
Hoshizaki America, Inc., a leading manufacturer of commercial ice and refrigeration equipment, has won a significant legal battle against Blue Air FSE LLC and Bluenix Co., Ltd. The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) issued its final determination that Blue Air and Bluenix violated U.S. international trade law by infringing three of Hoshizaki’s U.S. patents covering innovative technology used in Hoshizaki’s crescent cuber ice machines. The ITC therefore issued two key orders to enforce its decision:
- A Limited Exclusion Order that prevents Blue Air and Bluenix from importing the infringing ice machines and specific components that have been determined to infringe Hoshizaki‘s patents.
- A Cease and Desist Order that prohibits Blue Air, Bluenix and its distributors from importing into the United States, and selling, marketing, or distributing the infringing ice machines and components in the United States.
Violation of these orders could subject Blue Air and Bluenix to enforcement proceedings which could result in civil penalties.
Hoshizaki invests heavily in research and development to create cutting-edge ice and refrigeration technology. “Innovation is the lifeblood of Hoshizaki,” said Allan Dziwoki, President of Hoshizaki America. “We invest significant resources in developing new and improved technologies for our customers. Protecting our intellectual property is essential to ensuring that we can continue to innovate and deliver the best products possible. This victory sends a clear message that we will aggressively defend our patents against infringement.”
The ITC has now terminated its investigation, solidifying Hoshizaki’s win.