The International Trade Commission has issued a notice of institution of a section 337 investigation of certain noise cancelling headphones.
Mimicking the arguments of European regulators, a class-action suit against Apple said the company violates antitrust law by tying purchases through the iTunes Music Store to iPods by virtue of Apple’s proprietary DRM. The complaint in Somers v. Apple, filed in U.S. District Court, San Jose, pointed to the exit of “innovative” hardware makers from the digital music space and Apple’s unusually high margins relative to the industry, as evidence of improper monopoly.
Mimicking the arguments of European regulators, a class-action suit against Apple said the company violates antitrust law by tying purchases through the iTunes Music Store to iPods by virtue of Apple’s proprietary DRM. The complaint in Somers v. Apple, filed in U.S. District Court, San Jose, pointed to the exit of “innovative” hardware makers from the digital music space and Apple’s unusually high margins relative to the industry, as evidence of improper monopoly.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued a proposed rule that would amend its regulations at 19 CFR Parts 4, 12, 18, 101, 103, 113, 122, 123, 141, 143, 149 and 192 to require Security Filing (SF) information from importers and additional information from carriers (10+2) for vessel (maritime) cargo before it is brought into the U.S.
American Shipper reports that changes made to the World Customs Organization's Framework of Standards to Secure and Facilitate Global Trade (SAFE Framework) would have the acting party (i.e., the carrier) take over responsibility for the advanced declaration of information rather than the importer. (American Shipper, dated 12/19/07, www.americanshipper.com)
The Bureau of Industry and Security has issued a final rule, effective June 19, 2007, which amends the Export Administration Regulations at 15 CFR Parts 742, 743, 744, 748, 750 and 758 to revise and clarify U.S. licensing requirements and licensing policy on exports and reexports to China, among other things.
The war on illegal file-sharing will top the EU’s 2008 Internet agenda, officials said. European Commission policy recommendations on online content will appear early in 2008, and the debate over ISPs’ hand in subscriber infringement is intensifying. Key issues also may include net neutrality, data security and retention of Internet and phone traffic data, sources said.
The International Trade Commission has issued a notice of institution of a section 337 investigation of certain flash memory controllers, drives, memory cards, and media players and products containing same.
On December 19, 2007, the Office of Management and Budget completed its review of U.S. Customs and Border Protection's proposed rule on importer security filing and additional carrier requirements (also referred to as the 10+2 or SF proposed rule).
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has posted to its Web site a list of end-of-year quota/tariff rate quota reminders, highlights of which are provided below: