The International Trade Commission has voted to institute a section 337 patent-based investigation of certain light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and products containing same (337-TA-802), such as gallium nitride (GaN) semiconductor light-emitting diodes that convert electrical current to light. The investigation is based on a complaint filed by LG Electronics, Inc. and LG Innotek Co., Ltd. of South Korea, which alleges patent violations by OSRAM GmbH of Germany; OSRAM Opto Semiconductors GmbH of Germany; and OSRAM Sylvania, Inc. of Danvers, MA.

The International Trade Commission has voted to institute a section 337 patent-based investigation on certain products containing interactive program guide and parental controls technology (337-TA-801). The products at issue in this investigation include LCD televisions and Blu-Ray players containing IPG technology that enables the products to provide television program information and/or video-on-demand functionality, as well as parental control technology. The investigation is based on a complaint filed by Rovi Corporation; Rovi Guides, Inc. (f/k/a Gemstar-TV Guide International Inc.); United Video Properties, Inc.; and Gemstar Development Corporation, all of Santa Clara, CA. The complaint alleges violations of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 in the importation into the U.S. and sale of these products. Sharp Corporation of Japan; Sharp Electronics Corporation of Mahwah, NJ; and Sharp Electronics Manufacturing Company of America, Inc., of Mahwah, NJ. are listed by the ITC as respondents.

The International Trade Commission voted on August 24, 2011 to institute a section 337 patent-based investigation of computer forensic devices and products containing the same (337-TA-799), such as corporate information security hardware and software. The investigation is based on a complaint filed by MyKey Technology Inc. of Gaithersburg, MD. The complaint alleges violations of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 in the importation into the U.S. and sale of these products, and requests that the ITC issue an exclusion order and a cease and desist order.

Small and mid-sized wireless carriers, cable operators and competitive local exchange carriers all criticized parts of the America’s Broadband Connectivity (ABC) plan for making major changes to the Universal Service Fund and intercarrier compensation regimes. The plan, a compromise among major telecom carriers and rural local exchange carriers, is unlikely to be approved without some changes, said industry and FCC officials. The trick for the FCC will be keeping ILECs on board while accommodating other interests (CD Aug 25 p1). The FCC also asked for comment on a “complementary” filing by rural carriers as well as proposals by the Federal-State Joint Board on USF, also discussed in many of the comments.

The July 2011 edition of the Justice Department’s U.S. Attorney’s Bulletin includes an article on efforts to enforce the 2008 Lacey Act Amendments, such as the declaration requirement (PPQ 505) for imported plants and plant products. The article provides examples of enforcement efforts to date in cases involving forfeiture, false labeling, and trafficking, but states that so far, Lacy Act Amendments enforcement has been slow and minimal.

Microsoft’s patent infringement case against Motorola Mobility got off to a slow start Monday, the first day of a hearing that’s likely to continue the rest of the month at the International Trade Commission (ITC). The case is the latest chapter in the heated patent battle among industry giants in the Internet and mobile device sectors. Looming over the case is Google’s recent announcement it will buy Motorola Mobility for $12.5 billion (WID Aug 16 p1).

Microsoft’s patent infringement case against Motorola Mobility got off to a slow start on the first day of its hearing at the International Trade Commission (ITC) Monday. The case is the latest chapter in the heated patent battle among industry giants in the Internet and mobile device sectors. Looming over the case is Google’s recent announcement it will buy Motorola Mobility for $12.5 billion.

On August 18, 2011, CBP and other officials presented their draft proposals for modeling new simplified entry, summary, and financial processes for imports at a COAC¹ meeting, achieving their first project milestone on time. Finalized models are due by September 16, with a final report and proposal slated for delivery on September 30.

The Court of International Trade has ruled that an importer whose identity is alleged to have been stolen and used by another to enter goods that never came into the importer's possession, may not sue for a refund of liquidated damages as the importer failed to seek timely relief under 28 USC 1581(a) by protesting CBP's Notice of Redelivery. CIT stated that had the importer protested the Notice, it could have raised the exact issues raised in this suit.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection has posted an updated version of its spreadsheet of ACE ESAR A2.2 (Initial Entry Types) programming issues.