Finnegan Secures Summary Determination of No Violation in ITC Vehicle Space Guards Investigation for Drop Stop

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
October 6, 2026 

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Finnegan clients Drop Stop, LLC and its customers The Container Store, Inc. and 232 Technologies, Inc., prevailed in U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) Investigation No. 337-TA-1509, Certain Vehicle Space Guards, with Chief Administrative Law Judge Clark S. Cheney issuing a Final Initial Determination granting summary determination of non-infringement and no violation, terminating the case in its entirety.

The complainant alleged that Drop Stop’s signature product, the Drop Stop® seat gap filler, infringed claims of U.S. Patent No. 7,527,314, and sought an exclusion order that would have prevented Drop Stop from selling its products in the United States. Complainant also included several of Drop Stop’s sales outlets in the investigation. Finnegan represented Drop Stop and two of those sales outlets, The Container Store and 232 Technologies.

Judge Cheney granted Drop Stop’s motion for summary determination, finding no infringement because the Drop Stop® seat gap filler lacked a limitation running through all the asserted claims. Specifically, it did not have a contour “shaped to fit the contour of an existing vehicle seat.” This finding was based in part because the patentee argued during prosecution of the ’314 patent that a prior art product that worked like the Drop Stop® was different from the claimed invention. Judge Cheney found there was no genuine dispute of material fact requiring a hearing and that the investigation should be terminated with a finding of no violation.

The decision represents a complete defense victory for Drop Stop and its customers. Under the Commission's rules, the Final Initial Determination will become the Commission's determination unless a party petitions for review or the Commission elects to review the determination on its own initiative.

About the Investigation

The Commission instituted Investigation No. 337-TA-1509, Certain Vehicle Space Guards, in July 2026 based on a complaint filed by Jonathan Black Kotyk. The complaint alleged infringement of U.S. Patent No. 7,527,314 and sought a limited exclusion order and cease-and-desist orders against multiple respondents, including Drop Stop, The Container Store, Walmart, and 232 Technologies.

Respondents’ Counsel

Respondents Drop Stop, LLC, The Container Store, Inc., and 232 Technologies, Inc. were represented by Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner, LLP, including Smith R. Brittingham IV, Michael E. Kudravetz, and Jonathan J. Fagan.

Contacts 
  
Terra Liddell, Chief Marketing Officer 
terra.liddell@finnegan.com 

Angela Robinson, Director of Branding and Communications 
angela.robinson@finnegan.com 

About Finnegan 

When your most valuable assets are ideas, innovation, and brand—you need the best to protect them. Finnegan, a premier intellectual property law firm, is trusted by global leaders to protect and advance what sets them apart. With 13 offices across the globe, we bring local insight and global reach to every IP challenge. From high-stakes litigation to cutting-edge patent strategy and innovative brand management, we deliver unmatched depth, agility, and results. If it is IP, it is Finnegan. Please visit us at www.finnegan.com or follow us on LinkedIn to see how we’re shaping the future of IP, one breakthrough at a time.