AlienRides LLC tries and bans all importation of Electric Unicycles using patent law unless licensing fee is paid.
Background
Electric Unicycles are a hobby in the United States where a person rides a one wheel device using the motor to power and balance itself. It is enjoyed by thousands of people with its own events and culture
ITC Docket NO. 3877
A federal investigation (ITC Docket No. 3877) has been initiated to permanently ban nearly all electric unicycles (EUCs) from entering the United States. This filing, led by Inventist and Alien Technology Group (dba Alien Rides), targets InMotion, Begode, LeaperKim, KingSong, and Nosfet. Because the USA is the largest global market for EUCs, a total U.S. cutoff is predicted to cause a global industry collapse, leading to the bankruptcy of manufacturers and the loss of all EUC-related jobs in America. Public action is required by February 3, 2026.
Reference links are provided at the end of this post. I will provide a follow-up comment with suggested templates and step-by-step instructions to submit your public comments to prevent this from happening.
The 2021 Private Monopoly Agreement
The current crisis stems from a private alliance formed in 2021. Shane Chen (Inventist) and Kevin Grandon (Alien Rides) entered into an agreement where Inventist designated Alien Rides as the sole licensed importer and manufacturer of gyroscopic vehicles using Chen’s U.S. Patent No. 8,807,250 (the "'250 patent"). By filing this complaint under Section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930, they are attempting to use federal trade law to enforce a private monopoly, effectively banning all competitors who do not pay a "private tax" or royalty to their partnership.
The Global Existential Threat
Electric unicycles are a specialized, high-tech industry. Manufacturers like Begode, InMotion, LeaperKim, KingSong, and Nosfet rely on the U.S. market for the vast majority of their financial solvency.
The Fallout: Unlike massive automotive corporations, these manufacturers operate on thin R&D margins; a near-immediate cutoff from their primary revenue source threatens the survival of the entire sector.
Global Impact: There is no viable secondary market that allows these companies to survive the loss of the United States. If the USA market closes, the global supply of wheels and spare parts will inevitably vanish for everyone, including riders in Europe, Australia, and Asia.
The "Domestic Industry" Mirage
To win an import ban, the complainants must prove they are a "Domestic Industry" capable of serving U.S. demand. However, their actual infrastructure does not match their claims:
Infrastructure Deficit: Industry standards for manufacturing and warehousing a single EUC manufacturer's national supply require at least 20,000+ square feet. The Alien Rides facility (located at 2256 Palou Ave, San Francisco) is a shared retail showroom, repair shop, and small warehouse of less than 5,000 square feet in total. They physically lack the capacity to support the requirements of one single manufacturer, much less the entire EUC industry.
Operational Failure: Alien Rides has largely retreated from active importation. Their own website presently (as of January 28, 2026) lists flagship models as "Sold Out" or in "perpetual Pre-order," confirming they lack the warehouse space and funding to satisfy the current U.S. market for sales—let alone the entire industry's demand for manufacturing as well.
The Legal Shield: The 2025 Ruling
On November 14, 2025, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit ruled in Case 24-1010 (Inventist v. Ninebot) that modern EUC designs featuring recessed or integrated side surfaces do not infringe the '250 patent. This ITC filing is a clear attempt to bypass that higher court decision to secure a forced monopoly that the courts have already signaled is non-existent for modern wheel designs.
The Private Tax on EUC Riders
These filings are often used to force manufacturers into "licensing fees" to avoid a total ban. If manufacturers are forced to pay a royalty (historically 30%) to avoid being blocked at the border, those costs are passed directly to you. You will either pay massive price increases per wheel, or you won't be able to buy one at all.
VERIFIED PUBLIC DOCUMENTATION:
The 2025 Court Ruling Clearing EUCs from the '250 Patent: CAFC Case 24-1010 Opinion: https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cafc.uscourts.gov%2Fopinions-orders%2F24-1010.OPINION.11-14-2025_2604045.pdf%3Ffbclid%3DIwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExR1AyOVZmbWJPM0F6MnFkWnNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR7PJvRukg3xZMEOfVkN7ZPUIjTdqzMo2LqnMLILdCSKGheMoZvzw87e0eu2dw_aem_t8vHUbVHd8ZLfTMurjVLFQ&h=AT3Zkh8kBQ7zTUrQFK9h2eNy6mN9n9kxYQn-oYQQV2J8aEF-MaiH327-K93yEBY4nAevIU5iYXyL719Cx85cXv35GuoXeDy0wak3mWU2U4zHJez8jiUDxJxWJD722FFZ4MxCCMAKpp2JNaEbCw&__tn__=-U-U-UK-R&c%5B0%5D=AT1UDZQ3GorITTx0QUpXY-mjmplmILsFN9pUJH3-h7zKuv2nO7AIOia2EPwP1BT9RO0a6vbc8cAOBQZik33jd008SjT5ED9nguhmb3idsspePSOmJ7X70LQjfeyFfk3JikDShOHcyPjnhdvsT6MqPhmBwNJjCzCMmbnpn5BgGQ
Alien Rides Response
Response from Kevin Granson on FB:
We understand why people are concerned, and we want to help bring some clarity to the situation.
This filing is not a sudden attempt to shut down the EUC industry. The patent involved has existed for many years, and its inventor has been trying to resolve licensing issues for a long time. For years, the technology has been used commercially without any compensation to the patent holder. That was never going to be a permanent situation.
Patent enforcement does not mean the industry has to stop. Licensing is common across every technology sector and is how inventors are paid while products remain available to customers. The existence of a licensing dispute does not automatically mean bans, monopolies, or the end of EUCs in the U.S.
It is important to separate speculation from the legal process itself. An ITC investigation is exactly that, an investigation. There are multiple possible outcomes, many of which allow EUCs to continue being sold in the U.S. Claims that this will inevitably destroy the global industry are premature and not supported by what has actually happened so far.
Regarding the 2025 Federal Circuit decision, that ruling addressed specific designs and did not eliminate the patent entirely. Questions about scope and compliance are what courts and agencies exist to resolve, and those issues should be handled through that process rather than through fear or assumptions.
Ultimately, no one benefits from reduced access, higher prices, or instability in the EUC market. The goal should be a stable and lawful environment where innovation is respected and products remain available.
We encourage everyone to stay engaged, avoid misinformation, and allow the process to play out. We will continue to act in good faith and work toward outcomes that support riders, manufacturers, and the long-term health of the EUC community.
Consumer response
The Electric Unicycle forms and Facebook are flooded with people against Alien Rides.
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1ALjhSDVsQ/
References
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