US ITC Finds Klein Tools MODbox Designs Violated Milwaukee PACKOUT Patents

The battle over modular tool storage has taken a major turn. The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) has determined that Klein Tools violated two patents asserted by Milwaukee Tool and Keter Home and Garden Products in a dispute involving the popular PACKOUT and Klein MODbox storage systems.

The decision, announced following a September 29, 2026, Commission vote and published in the Federal Register on October 2, marks a significant development in the increasingly competitive tool-storage market.

What Did the ITC Decide?

The investigation centered on three U.S. patents associated with Milwaukee and Keter's tool-storage products. The Commission found a violation involving two of those patents: U.S. Patent Nos. 11,365,026 and 11,794,952.

As a result, the ITC determined that a limited exclusion order and a cease-and-desist order were appropriate for products covered by those patents. The Commission has not yet reached a final determination on the third patent, U.S. Patent No. 11,952,167, and extended the target date for completing that portion of the investigation to November 2, 2026.

The case began in 2024, when Milwaukee Tool and Keter filed a complaint alleging that certain Klein Tools storage containers, toolboxes, organizers, component boxes, and coolers infringed their patents.

Importantly, the ruling concerns specific patent claims and covered products, not every product Klein Tools makes or necessarily every item in the MODbox lineup. The practical impact depends on the scope and implementation of the Commission's orders.

Why This Matters for Tool Storage

Modular tool-storage systems have become an important part of how tradespeople organize, transport, and access their equipment. Stackable boxes, rolling systems, organizers, and interchangeable components allow professionals to build a setup around their work rather than rely on a collection of unrelated storage products.

That popularity has also made the category increasingly competitive. Manufacturers are working to differentiate their products through functionality, durability, compatibility, and design.

Patent disputes like this one highlight how much engineering and intellectual property can go into products that might look relatively simple from the outside. They also demonstrate that design decisions can have consequences well beyond a product's appearance, potentially affecting how products are imported and sold.

For contractors and other professionals investing in a modular storage system, the outcome is worth watching. Changes to product availability could influence future purchasing decisions, depending on which products are covered by the orders and how the manufacturers respond.

What Happens Next?

The ITC's determination calls for restrictions on covered products under the two patents where violations were found. The Commission also established an 18% bond for covered articles imported or sold during the presidential review period.

The remaining patent issue is still pending, so the legal process is not entirely finished. The companies' next steps and any changes to affected product lines will help determine the longer-term impact on the market.

For now, buyers should avoid assuming that all Klein MODbox products are being removed from the market or that every product in a competing storage system is affected. The ruling is specific to the patents and products within the investigation.

The Bottom Line

The ITC's decision is a significant development in the fight over modular tool storage, with potential implications for manufacturers, retailers, and the tradespeople who depend on these systems every day.

As tool storage continues to evolve, competition will remain about more than just adding another box to the stack. Product design, compatibility, functionality, and intellectual property all play a role in shaping the options available to professionals.

We'll be watching to see how this decision affects the broader tool-storage market and what it means for the next generation of modular storage products.

Source: U.S. International Trade Commission, Investigation No. 337-TA-1409; Federal Register notice published October 2, 2026.