Venable Prevails In ITC Investigation, Obtaining Final Determination In Favor Of Firm Client ecobee

Venable LLP client ecobee Technologies, Inc. prevailed in an International Trade Commission (ITC) investigation brought by Causam Enterprises, Inc., concerning Causam’s claims of patent infringement. The underlying technology involved smart thermostats, which is a field that ecobee created in 2007 in an effort to reduce the burden on the power grid in North America.

On Feb. 16, 2023, the ITC issued a final determination affirming the administrative law judge’s initial determination finding no violation of section 337 as to the asserted patent claims and terminating the investigation. This win solidifies the third consecutive ITC trial win achieved by this Venable team for ecobee over the past two years.

The trial team was led by Venable partners Tim Carroll and Manny Caixeiro, and featured pivotal contributions from Venable attorneys Megan WoodworthSteve LubeznyDan Apgar, and Eric Harmon; firm paralegal Armands Chagnon; and firm legal administrative assistant Joanna Callaby. Causam was represented in the investigation by King & Spaulding.

ecobee Inc. was founded in 2007 with a mission to improve everyday life while creating a more sustainable world. Today, ecobee continues to innovate with smart home solutions that solve everyday problems with comfort, security, and conservation in mind. With its products, including the SmartThermostat and SmartCamera, both equipped with voice control, ecobee continues to encourage consumers to imagine what home could be.

Venable LLP is an American Lawyer Global 100 law firm headquartered in Washington, DC that serves as primary counsel to a worldwide clientele of large and mid-sized organizations, nonprofits, high-net-worth entrepreneurs, and other individuals. With more than 850 professionals across the country, including in California, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, New York, Virginia, and Washington, DC, the firm strategically advances its clients’ objectives in the United States and around the globe. Venable advises clients on a broad range of business and regulatory law, legislative affairs, complex litigation, and the full range of intellectual property disciplines. For more information, please visit https://www.venable.com/.