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CES 2016: U.S. marshals raid booth of Chinese hoverboard firm at trade show

U.S. marshals seized the assets and marketing materials from the floor of the CES gadget show in Las Vegas Thursday

U.S. hoverboard maker Future Motion says Changzhou First International Trade Co. infringes patent

The Associated Press ·
U.S. marshals seized the assets and marketing materials of Changzhou First International Trade Co., Ltd. from its booth at the CES gadget show on Thursday. (Gregory Bull/Associated Press)

A company based in Santa Cruz, California, says it obtained a temporary restraining order against a Chinese firm for copying its Onewheel electric hoverboard.

Future Motion Inc. had U.S. marshals seize the company's assets and marketing materials from the floor of the CES gadget show in Las Vegas on Thursday.

Future Motion accuses Changzhou First International Trade Co. of patent infringement and obtained the order late Wednesday. Marshals accompanied Future Motion lawyers in the seizure of Changzhou's "Surfing Electric Scooter."

Future Motion lead attorney Shawn Kolitch says the Chinese company's product was identical to the Onewheel, including a reversible light system that glows different colors depending on the direction of travel.

A message seeking comment from Changzhou was not immediately returned.

U.S. based Future Motion alleges the Chinese company's product was identical to its one-wheeled hoverboard Onewheel, pictured here, and infringes on its patent. (Onewheel)
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