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The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Address Ongoing Litigation & Seizure of one of the hottest toys, the Hoverboard.

Hoverboards, as they are commonly known, are self-balancing two-wheeled electric scooters.  They are powered by controversial rechargeable batteries that have recently garnered attention for malfunctioning, causing devices to catch fire and destroy homes.  The lithium-ion batteries have been known to overheat, catch fire, and explode without warning.

Several airlines have begun to prohibit transportation of the boards aboard aircraft, due to safety concerns.  Amazon.com is placing safety first and offering consumers that have purchased a hoverboard from Amazon a full refund.  Hoverboards are also facing additional litigation from Mark Cuban, who potentially has a patent infringement claim against Walmart for selling the devices.

According to the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission, “The federal government continues to work in close coordination on this serious issue.  Officials from CPSC, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Aviation Administration are regularly sharing information and insights with a common goal of taking whatever steps are necessary to prevent injuries and property damage from fires and falls.”  They recommend having a fire extinguisher handy and keeping the device far away from combustible materials while charging.  There are not currently any safety standards in place for hoverboards, which would require proof of sound design, manufacturing, and quality control processes.  This lack of regulation adds to the danger […]