WASHINGTON - The US International Trade Commission (USITC) Friday launched a probe into certain products from China after several US companies alleged their patents were infringed.

The products in question include televisions and Blu-ray players produced by Haier Group of China and Vizio Inc under Taiwan-based Amtran Technology Company and sold in the US market, the USITC said.'  

Five US technology companies filed a complaint with USITC last month, saying those products violated Section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 by infringing their patents.

Meanwhile, they requested the USITC issue an exclusion order and a cease and desist order against those products from China.

The trade panel is scheduled to set a target date for completing the investigation within 45 days after institution of the probe. If the complaint is approved, the agency will ban importation of those products.

The US move came at a time when protectionism is making a comeback in the United States amid sluggish economic recovery.

It is widely believed that such actions would only hurt US- China trade relations that are increasingly critical to global economic recovery.