The United States International Trade Commission announced Wednesday that it is reviewing complaints accusing some video technology manufacturers of patent infringement.

Among the companies under investigation are Lenovo and Acer. Companies identified as respondents in the investigation include Motorola, Micro-Star International and MSI Computer Corp.

The companies were accused of violating U.S. law by selling certain video equipment and products that infringe patents.

The U.S. ITC is a federal government agency that advises the legislature and executive branch on trade matters. It also investigates imports on U.S. industries and takes direct action against unfair trade practices such as subsidies, dumping, intellectual property infringement and copyright infringement.

In the United States, a valid patent gives its proprietor the right to exclude others from practicing the invention claimed in that patent. Therefore, a person who exercises that invention without the permission of the proprietor infringes that patent.

The sources for this piece include an article in Reuters.