A U.S. trade panel on Tuesday launched a probe into certain wireless consumer electronic devices and components from U.S. and foreign companies after a U.S. company alleged its patents were infringed.

The products at issue in this investigation are electronic tablets, smartphones, e-readers, mobile hotspots, broadband wireless modems, and handheld game consoles, said the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) in a statement.

Technology Properties Limited LLC in California and other two companies filed a complaint last month with USITC, claiming those products violated the section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 by infringing their patents and requesting the agency to issue an exclusion order, cease and desist orders against those products.

The USITC said it had identified 13 companies as respondents home and abroad, including China's Huawei Technology Company and ZTE Corporation.

The trade agency is scheduled to set a target date for completing the investigation within 45 days after institution of the probe. If the complaint is approved, it will ban importation of those products.

Section 337 investigations focus on allegations of patent or registered trademark infringement, and also involve misappropriation of trade secrets, trade dress infringement, passing off, false advertising, and violation of the antitrust laws.

(Source: Xinhua)