The International Trade Commission is temporarily suspending enforcement of a limited exclusion order (LEO) banning importation and sale of plastic food trays by Ningbo Linhua Plastic Co., Ltd., that infringe patents held by Clearly Clean Products, it said in a notice to be published Jan. 10. The ITC originally issued the LEO in February 2021 (see 2103020015). The ITC is suspending the LEO because, "the subject patent claims were found unpatentable by the United States Patent and Trademark Office’s Patent Trial and Appeal Board," overruling the complainant's opposition. However, the ITC has "determined to grant partial relief and to temporarily suspend enforcement of the LEO pending the cancellation of its subject patent claims or the reversal or vacatur of the Federal Circuit’s decisions," because the "LEO’s patent claims are still subject to U.S. Supreme Court appeal."

The International Trade Commission published notices in the Jan. 8 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. 18 on a Section 337 complaint alleging that imports of motorized self-balancing vehicles infringe patents held by Razor USA and Shane Chen, it said in a notice to be published Jan. 10. According to the complaint, the complainants are seeking a limited exclusion order and cease and desist orders against companies Gotrax, Gyroor and Sisigad for the import and sale of "certain motorized self-balancing vehicles" that infringe one or more claims of the patented technology. The complainant describes the product at issue as "motorized self-balancing vehicles used largely for recreational purposes [which] are sometimes referred to as 'Hoverboards,' 'Self-Balancing Scooters,' 'Balance Gliders,' or even 'Hovertrax™.'"

The Commerce Department published notices in the Federal Register Jan. 8 on the following AD/CV duty proceedings (any notices that announce changes to AD/CV duty rates, scope, affected firms or effective dates will be detailed in another ITT article):

The Commerce Department released notices in the Federal Register on its recently initiated antidumping and countervailing duty investigations on erythritol from China (A-570-192/C-570-193). The CVD investigation covers entries Jan. 1, 2023, through Dec. 31, 2023. The AD investigation covers entries April 1, 2024, through Sept. 30, 2024.

The Commerce Department is beginning new antidumping and countervailing duty investigations on sol gel alumina-based ceramic abrasive grains from China, it said in a fact sheet Jan. 7. The underlying petition was filed in November (see 2411270012). The International Trade Commission is scheduled to make its preliminary injury determinations by Jan. 29. These AD/CVD investigations will continue only if the ITC finds injury. International Trade Today will provide more details upon publication of the initiation notices in the Federal Register.

The Commerce Department is beginning new antidumping and countervailing duty investigations on active anode material from China, it said in a fact sheet Jan. 8. The underlying petition was filed in December (see 2412190037). The International Trade Commission is scheduled to make its preliminary injury determinations by Feb. 3. These AD/CVD investigations will continue only if the ITC finds injury. International Trade Today will provide more details upon publication of the initiation notices in the Federal Register.

The International Trade Commission found imports of melamine from five countries materially injure a U.S. industry, paving the way for antidumping and countervailing duty orders, the agency announced Jan. 7. It issued this final determination following a Commerce Department finding that imports from Trinidad and Tobago, Germany, Japan and the Netherlands are sold in the U.S. at less than fair value and imports from Trinidad and Tobago, Germany and Qatar are subsidized by their countries' governments (see 2412060027 and 2412060023). As a result, the Commerce Department will issue countervailing duty orders on imports of this product from Germany, Qatar, and Trinidad and Tobago, and antidumping duty orders on imports of this product from Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, and Trinidad and Tobago.

The International Trade Commission published notices in the Jan. 7 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. 16 on a Section 337 complaint alleging that imports of "certain dryer wall exhaust vent assemblies and components thereof" infringe patents held by InOvate Acquisition Company, it said in a notice to be published Jan. 8. According to the complaint, InOvate is seeking a limited exclusion order and cease and desist orders against Chinese company Xiamen Dirongte Trading Co. for the import and sale of "certain wall exhaust vents that infringe one or more claims of" the patented technology. The complainant describes the product at issue as "a wall exhaust vent that consumers use to cover an outdoor side of a wall exhaust outlet from outside contaminates such as pests, small animals, and debris."