“Section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930, codified at 19 U.S.C. § 1337 (‘Section 337’), declares certain acts unlawful. Among them is importing ‘articles that . . . infringe a valid and enforceable United States patent.’ 19 U.S.C. § 1337(a)(1)(B)(i). The International Trade Commission (‘Commission’) interpreted this provision to cover importation of goods that, after importation, are used by the importer to directly infringe at the inducement of the goods’ seller. . . . We granted the petition to consider whether the Commission correctly concluded that unfair trade acts covered by Section 337 include the importation of articles used to infringe by the importer at the inducement of the articles’ seller.”
“We conclude that because Section 337 does not answer the question before us, the Commission’s interpretation of Section 337 is entitled to Chevron deference. We hold that the Commission’s interpretation is reasonable because it is consistent with Section 337 and Congress’ mandate to the Commission to safeguard United States commercial interests at the border.”
