US Bans Hoverboards

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Today the US International Trade Commission issued an order banning virtually all imports of hoverboards into the United States. But this time it has nothing to do with safety.

The reason for the ban involves Segway’s patent claims on self-balancing personal transport technology in the United States. Hoverboard imports, most of which are coming from China, will have to be halted almost entirely

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Segway holds over 400 patents involving technology that allows so-called hoverboards to balance. But the main one they’re hanging their hat on is 8830048, which was filed as recently as April 2013. [Update for clarification: That same patent claims priority in 1999.]

The Commission says that any company wishing to temporarily import hoverboards will have to post a bond equal to the entire cost of the hoverboard until a final decision about the fate of imports is determined.

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