VIZIO Continues to Import and Ship HDTVs During ITC Review

Editor’s Note: To say that VIZIO, the best-selling brand of HDTVs in the US, has been on a roll is an understatement. Their displays have been highly rated in these pages, but  there has been concern that shipments could be in jeopardy because of recent rulings and litigation. Fortunately for consumers, VIZIO will be able to continue to import and ship products while these matters are being reviewed. Following is a VIZIO press release announcing they will be able to continue importing and shipping HDTVs. Whew! 

SOURCE: VIZIO, Inc.

Irvine, CA – April 10, 2009 — VIZIO, Inc., America’s HDTV and Consumer Electronics Company, responds today on the limited exclusion order by the ITC that they hold to their belief that because of recent rulings by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USTPO), that their appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit will reverse the underlying decision. Per the Commission’s determination, VIZIO has the right to continue importing and shipping products during a Presidential review period and will continue to pursue all legal remedies.

“Based on the recent final rejections by the USPTO of both the ‘369 and ‘074 Funai patents, we believe that the U.S. Court of Appeals will be mindful of the fact and will agree that there are substantial grounds for appeal of the ITC’s ruling,” stated Rob L. Brinkman, VIZIO’s VP Operations and Administration.

“VIZIO intends to move and is moving aggressively on all possible avenues to protect its rights. Funai’s failure to license its patents on reasonable and non-discriminatory basis is the subject of a lawsuit in federal district court in California as well as a complaint filed with the FCC, stated Laynie Newsome, VIZIO Co-Founder, VP Sales & Marketing Communications. “Even though the ITC has issued this limited exclusion order we believe that our appeal to the Federal Circuit will overturn the ruling with knowledge that the USPTO issued a second and final rejection of Funai’s ’074 patent just as they had done earlier with their ‘369 patent. While we appeal the ITC ruling with the Federal Circuit’s U.S. Court of Appeals, we will continue to offer American’s the best performance TVs at the best values. Even though we are committed to our policy to respect the rights of intellectual property holders, we will continue to thoroughly investigate all claims, and vigorously defend our legal rights when we feel a claim is invalid or not infringed.”

About VIZIO

VIZIO, Inc. “Where Vision Meets Value,” headquartered in Irvine, California, is America’s HDTV Company. In 2007, VIZIO skyrocketed to the top by becoming the #1 selling brand of flat panel HDTVs in North America and became the first American brand in over a decade to lead major categories in U.S. TV sales. VIZIO is committed to bringing feature-rich flat panel televisions to market at a value through practical innovation. VIZIO offers a broad range of award winning Plasma and LCD HDTVs including the new XVT series. VIZIO’s products are found at Costco Wholesale, Sam’s Club, Sears, Walmart, Target, BJ’s Wholesale, and other retailers nationwide along with authorized online partners. VIZIO has won numerous awards including a #1 ranking in the Inc. 500 for Top Companies in Computers and Electronics, Fast Company’s Top 10 Most Innovative CE Companies, Good Housekeeping’s Best Big-Screens, CNET’s Top 10 Holiday Gifts, PC World’s Best Buy among others. For more information, please call 888-VIZIOCE or visit on the web at www.VIZIO.com<http://ces-group.c.topica.com/maamZTGabPuvuaPuqdDeaeQGv2/>.

The V, VIZIO, Where Vision Meets Value names, phrase and symbols are trademarks or registered trademarks of VIZIO, Inc. All other trademarks may be the property of their respective holders.