The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) instituted Section 337 investigation No. 337-TA-1521 on September 16, 2026, naming Apple, Samsung and Google in a proceeding over certain imported electronic devices with certain audio technologies. BoomCloud 360 Inc. filed the complaint behind the case and requested trade restrictions, but the USITC has not decided whether infringement occurred.

What the USITC opened

Section 337 is the USITC process for investigating alleged unfair acts involving imported products, including alleged patent infringement. The current proceeding concerns certain electronic devices with certain audio technologies. The public description of the investigation does not identify specific product models or patent numbers.

BoomCloud 360 Inc. filed its complaint on August 14, 2026, then filed a supplement on August 31. The USITC instituted the investigation on September 16.

What BoomCloud 360 requested

BoomCloud 360 requested a limited exclusion order and cease-and-desist orders. If such remedies were eventually issued, they could restrict the importation and distribution of covered products in the United States.

Those remedies are requests in the proceeding, not measures that took effect when the investigation was opened. The institution of the case did not itself create a current U.S. import or sales ban.

Which companies are formally named

The USITC lists four respondent entities:

  • Apple, Inc.
  • Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
  • Samsung Electronics America, Inc.
  • Google LLC

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. and Samsung Electronics America, Inc. appear as separate respondents in the investigation. The proceeding therefore names specific corporate entities rather than treating every company using the Apple, Samsung or Google brand as a single legal party.

What the investigation does — and does not — decide

The USITC’s decision to institute the investigation starts the case; it does not resolve the patent allegations. The agency has not made a merits determination that Apple, Samsung Electronics, Samsung Electronics America or Google infringed BoomCloud 360’s patent claims.

That distinction matters for U.S. buyers and retailers. The opening of investigation No. 337-TA-1521 does not, by itself, stop sales or imports of the covered products. Any restriction would require a later outcome and a remedy covering products within the scope of the case.

What happens next

An administrative law judge will conduct an evidentiary hearing and issue an initial determination on whether Section 337 was violated. The USITC said it would set a target date for completing the investigation within 45 days after institution.

If the proceeding eventually leads to a remedial order, the USITC says that order becomes final 60 days after issuance unless the U.S. Trade Representative disapproves it during that period.