Following its review of Administrative Law Judge Thomas B. Pender's decision in June, the U.S. International Trade Commission knocked out two patents key to Roomba robotic vacuum maker iRobot, according to Pillsbury Intellectual Property partner Kecia Reynolds, who represented iRobot rivals Hoover, bObsweep and Shenzhen Silver Star Intelligent Technology Co.

Reynolds told Law360 that this is a "wonderful result" for her clients. She said the products found to infringe the '233 patent (U.S. Patent No. 9,038,233) have now been discontinued and Judge Pender found that the newer versions of the robotic cleaners do not infringe the patent.

"The old version is discontinued. No one has it, so it's not going to impact us at all," Reynolds said. "We're celebrating."

Hoover, bObsweep and Silver Star are represented by Pillsbury’s Reynolds along with Sean M. Weinman, William P. Atkins, Jack S. Barufka, Bryan P. Collins, Michael K. Heins and Jack Ko.

For previous coverage, please see Pillsbury's June 2018 press release.