Coopersburg, PA - Today, lighting control manufacturer Lutron Electronics Co., Inc. announced that it has filed actions before the International Trade Commission and the United States District Court for the Central District of California against several manufacturers, importers and distributors of knock-off dimming controls made in China. The complaints allege willful infringement of Lutron’s U.S. Patent No. 5,637,930, entitled “Wall-Mountable Switch & Dimmer,” covering proprietary Lutron lighting control technology, and seek treble damages.

The respondents in the ITC action include Pass & Seymour, a subsidiary of Legrand Holding, SA of Limoges, France, Zhejiang Yuelong Mechanical & Electrical Co. LTD, Zhejiang Lux Electric Company LTD, Wenzhou Huir Electric Science & Technology Co LTD, American Top Electric Corp., AH Lighting, Elemental LED, LLC, and Westgate Mfg., Inc. The U.S. importers and distributors of the dimmers are named in the District Court action.

Pass & Seymour and the other defendants manufacture and sell products made to look like Lutron’s popular Diva® dimmers. The Pass & Seymour lighting control products accused of infringement include certain Harmony dimmers.

Lutron’s complaints request that Pass & Seymour and the other Chinese manufacturers be enjoined from manufacturing, selling or importing the knock-off dimmers. Lutron also asks that the defendants be ordered to pay damages, including damages for willful infringement of that patent. “Lutron annually invests millions of dollars on hundreds of U.S.-based engineers to research and develop elegant and innovative products which it protects with its patents,” said Joel Spira, Lutron’s chairman, founder and director of research. “Regrettably, Chinese manufacturers and U.S. importers who want to cut corners simply copy Lutron and infringe its patents. They must be stopped,” said Spira.

About Lutron Electronics (www.lutron.com)

Lutron Electronics, headquartered in Coopersburg, Pennsylvania, designs and manufactures energy-saving lighting controls, automated window treatments and appliance modules for both residential and commercial applications. Its innovative, intuitive products can be used to control everything from a single light, to every light, shade and even stand-by power in a home or commercial building. Lutron products make any space more versatile, while enhancing ambiance, comfort and productivity. They also save energy and make light bulbs last longer, making them an eco-friendly addition to the home and workplace. Founded in 1961, Lutron estimates that the installed base of its products saves the nation nearly 10 billion kWh of electricity, or approximately $1 billion in utility costs per year. Lutron manufactures more than 16,000 energy-saving products, sold in more than 100 countries around the world.