International Trade Commission Issues Exclusion Orders Against Imported Exercise Equipment

The International Trade Commission has concluded its investigation into imported exercise equipment, issuing exclusion orders against products found to infringe on patents held by Balanced Body Inc. of Sacramento, California. The investigation, launched in September 2024, named multiple foreign companies as respondents, including firms from Hong Kong and mainland China, as well as a Colorado-based company. The commission's decision, based on a thorough review of the case record, bans the importation of infringing products and imposes a 100% bond on the value of covered products during the period of Presidential review.

Key Takeaways:

• The International Trade Commission issued exclusion orders against imported exercise equipment found to infringe on patents held by Balanced Body Inc.
• The investigation, launched in September 2024, named multiple foreign companies as respondents, including firms from Hong Kong and mainland China, as well as a Colorado-based company.
• The commission's decision applies to products that violate claim 1 of U.S. Patent No. 8,721,511 and the claim of U.S. Patent No. D659,208.
• A limited exclusion order was issued against products from defaulting respondents that infringe on claim 19 of the '511 patent and the claim of U.S. Patent No. D659,205.
• The commission imposed a 100% bond on the value of covered products during the period of Presidential review.
• The decision was not opposed by any public interest concerns.
• The vote on this determination took place on August 11, 2025.
• The investigation terminated a multi-month inquiry and banned the importation of infringing products.

Statistics:

• 100% bond imposed on the value of covered products during the period of Presidential review.
• 2 U.S. patents infringed by imported exercise equipment: U.S. Patent No. 8,721,511 and D659,208.
• 1 claim of infringement found to be deliberate and willful.
• 3 foreign companies named as respondents in the investigation: firms from Hong Kong and mainland China, as well as a Colorado-based company.
• 1 limited exclusion order issued, specifically targeting products from defaulting respondents.
• Value of covered products subject to Presidential review not specified.

Sources:

• Targeted News Service, August 14 (TNSFR)
• https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/08/14/2025-15429/certain-exercise-equipment-and-subassemblies-thereof-notice-of-issuance-of-a-general-exclusion-order