Velodyne’s complaint asks the ITC to investigate unlawful imports of Ouster lidar sensors that are alleged to infringe Velodyne’s patents relating to lidar technologies (U.S. Patents 7,969,558 and 9,983,297). Velodyne’s complaint requests that the ITC issue a limited exclusion order and a cease and desist order against Ouster and Ouster’s contract manufacturer, to bar the importation into the United States of Ouster’s rotational lidar devices, components, and products that are alleged to infringe Velodyne’s patents.

Earlier this year, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit upheld the patentability of all challenged claims in Velodyne’s pioneering 7,969,558 patent. The ‘558 patent relates to a novel lidar-based 3D point cloud measuring system used in multiple industries and applications. Velodyne is focused on advancing its strong smart vision products to meet the large market needs of robotics, industrial, intelligent infrastructure, autonomous vehicles, and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), and Velodyne’s patent portfolio protects the substantial investment it is making in these advances.

“Velodyne invented rotational lidar and our Company spends significant financial and human resources on research and development to advance smart vision technology,” said Dr. Ted Tewksbury, CEO, Velodyne Lidar. “Velodyne has a history of vigorously protecting this investment by taking strong and successful legal action against companies that infringe on our intellectual property and this action is no different.”