The International Trade Commission is beginning a Section 337 investigation on mobile electronic devices (ITC Inv. No. 337-TA-1432) after receiving allegations filed by Maxell that Samsung and its subsidiaries are importing products that infringe its patents, the agency said in a Jan. 17 news release.
Former International Trade Commissioner chair and current commissioner Rhonda Schmidtlein will join WilmerHale as a partner in the international trade, investment and market access practice group, the firm announced. The ITC, in a concurrent press release, said the commissioner will step down Feb. 1. Schmidtlein was confirmed to the ITC in 2014, previously serving as chair for 17 months in 2017-18.
The International Trade Commission published notices in the Jan. 16 Federal Register on the following AD/CVD injury, Section 337 patent or other trade proceedings (any notices that warrant a more detailed summary will be in another ITT article):
The International Trade Commission seeks comments by Jan. 27 on a Section 337 complaint alleging that imports of polyvinylidene fluoride resins infringe patents held by Syensqo and Solvay Specialty Polymers, it said in a notice to be published Jan. 17. According to the complaint, the complainants are seeking a limited exclusion order and cease and desist orders against five Chinese companies banning the import and sale of "polyvinylidene fluoride polymers comprising acrylates in solid form (such as powder or pellets)" that infringe one or more claims of the patented technology. The complainant describes the product at issue as "Solef® polymers [which] enjoy extreme stability even in harsh environments, such as inside the batteries that power today’s electric vehicles. These polymers are particularly useful for industry applications because of their excellent chemical resistance, thermal stability, and increased abrasion resistance as compared to other PVDF polymers."
The International Trade Commission is beginning a Section 337 investigation on nanolaminate alloy coated metal parts (ITC Inv. No. 337-TA-1431) after receiving allegations filed by Modumetal Inc. that U.S. company Parker Hannifin Corporation and Taiwanese company Lu Chu Shin Yee Works are importing products that infringe its patents, the agency said in a Jan. 16 news release.
A domestic producer recently filed a petition with the Commerce Department and the International Trade Commission requesting new antidumping and countervailing duties on temporary steel fencing from China. Commerce will now decide whether to begin AD/CVD investigations, which could result in the imposition of permanent AD/CVD orders and the assessment of AD and CVD on importers. ZND US Inc. requested the investigation.
The International Trade Commission published notices in the Jan. 15 Federal Register on the following AD/CVD injury, Section 337 patent or other trade proceedings (any notices that warrant a more detailed summary will be in another ITT article):
The International Trade Commission seeks comments by Jan. 24 on a Section 337 complaint alleging that imports of photovoltaic trunk bus cable assemblies infringe patents held by Shoals Technologies Group, it said in a notice to be published Jan. 16. According to the complaint, Shoals is seeking a limited exclusion order and cease and desist orders against U.S. company Voltage and Chinese company Ningbo Voltage Smart Production banning the import and sale of "certain photovoltaic trunk bus cable assemblies and components thereof, including at least the Voltage LYNX Trunk Bus" that infringe one or more claims of the patented technology. The complainant describes the product at issue as "improved lead assemblies or solar wire harness systems for connecting components in solar energy systems and solar panel arrays."
The following lawsuits were filed at the Court of International Trade during the weeks of Dec. 30 - Jan. 5 and Jan. 6-12:
The International Trade Commission scheduled a public hearing on Feb. 20 to determine the economic impact of the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act, it said in a notice to be published Jan. 15. The deadline is Feb. 5 for filing requests to appear at the public hearing; Feb. 7 for filing prehearing briefs and statements; and Feb. 12 for filing electronic copies of public hearing oral statements.