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International Trade Commission Issues Import Ban on Bedding Labeled with False Thread Counts
[March 27, 2017]

International Trade Commission Issues Import Ban on Bedding Labeled with False Thread Counts


AAVN INC., a technology leader in the home textile industry, has claimed another major Alpha Cotton victory. This victory has officially been communicated to the U.S. President, Secretary of the Treasury, and the U.S. Trade Representative. Alpha Cotton, which has been patented under U.S. Patent # 9,131,790 B2, has resulted in the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) process announcement on March 24, 2017, that it has secured an overwhelming triumph to protect U.S. consumers against foreign textile manufacturers and importers that falsely label their bed linens with inflated thread counts. The U.S. ITC, based in Washington, D.C., found the false labels to be an unfair trade practice and ordered Customs and Border Protection to work with AAVN and deny entry to all falsely advertised textile products. With the recent Egyptian cotton controversy, this new ITC ruling becomes all the more important.

High thread counts are a sign of quality, comfort, and luxury n bed linens. The problem arises primarily in cotton/polyester blends, where manufacturers find it difficult to weave very fine polyester fibers. This problem was solved by AAVN with Alpha Cotton, a unique manufacturing process that it has patented under U.S. Patent # 9,131,790 B2, which covers thread counts ranging from 190 to 1200. While many manufacturers produce their high thread count bedding under the license from AAVN, including some of the world's largest manufacturers like Alok Industries and Indocount. Nextt holds all of the licensing rights for Alpha Cotton. Other textile importers and manufacturers have chosen instead to falsely label lower thread count fabrics as much higher thread counts. This false labeling sometimes is by over 100%, misleading consumers into unknowingly buying inferior quality products at inflated prices, while also violating the patent.



"This is as much a victory for consumers as it is for AAVN and Alpha Cotton," said Paul Brinkman, Partner of Quinn Emanuel, LLP. "We look forward to Customs' broad enforcement of the ITC's order to clean up the textile industry so that consumers can have confidence in the integrity of the products they are buying." This ruling will affect fourth quarter business where this fabric is a part of major Black Friday (News - Alert) promotions by major retailers. With the Customs and Border Protection enforcement with the assistance of AAVN, consumers will have a big win.

(Copy of Ruling and Related Letters Available from Mr. Brinkman.)



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