Archive for August, 2006

COMMUNICATION DEVICES, COMPONENTS

The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) has voted to institute an investigation of certain wireless communication devices, components thereof, and products containing the same. The products at issue in this investigation include, inter alia, cellular telephone handsets and components.

 

The investigation is based on a complaint filed by Ericsson Inc., of Plano, TX, and Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson, of Stockholm, Sweden, on July 31, 2006. The complaint alleges violations of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 in the importation into the United States, the sale for importation, and the sale within the United States after importation of certain wireless communication devices, components thereof, and products containing the same that infringe patents owned by the complainant. The complainants request that the ITC issue a permanent limited exclusion order and a permanent cease and desist order.

 

The ITC has identified the following as respondents in this investigation:

 

Samsung Telecommunications America LLP, of Richardson, TX;
Samsung Electronics America, Inc., of Ridgefield Park, NJ; and
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., of Seoul, Korea.

 

By instituting this investigation (337-TA-583), the ITC has not yet made any decision on the merits of the case. The case will be referred to the Honorable Charles E. Bullock, an ITC administrative law judge, who will schedule and hold an evidentiary hearing. Judge Bullock will make an initial determination as to whether there is a violation of section 337; that initial determination is subject to review by the Commission.
The ITC will make a final determination in the investigation at the earliest practicable time. Within 45 days after institution of the investigation, the ITC will set a target date for completing the investigation. ITC remedial orders in section 337 cases are effective when issued and become final 60 days after issuance unless disapproved for policy reasons by the U.S. Trade Representative within that 60-day period.