By Django Gold

Law360, New York (December 02, 2011, 2:49 PM ET) -- The U.S. International Trade Commission on Friday took up a case against Cisco Systems Inc., Hewlett-Packard Co. and others alleging the technology companies are importing Ethernet communication equipment into the U.S. that infringes a patent held by ChriMar Systems Inc.

The ITC voted to institute a Section 337 investigation into communications devices that operate under the Power over Ethernet, or PoE, standard pursuant to ChriMar's allegations that its patented PoE-powered communication system is being used by it industry rivals without license.

Farmington Hills, Mich.-based ChriMar filed...