The International Trade Commission has instituted a section 337 patent-based investigation of certain optoelectronic devices, components thereof, and products containing the same, pursuant to a complaint.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection recently posted to its Web site a frequently asked question (FAQ) document regarding its interim final rule that amended 19 CFR effective January 26, 2009, 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.
CBP has posted its report to Congress on ACE for the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2008 (July 1, 2008 to September 30, 2008). The report provides an update on ACE accomplishments, challenges, fiscal status, and upcoming program milestones. (See future issue of ITT for details on the report) (Report, dated 02/27/09, available at http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/trade/automated/modernization/ace/quarterly_reports/ace_4thqtr_08.ctt/ace_4thqtr_08.pdf)
The International Trade Commission has instituted a section 337 patent-based investigation of certain non-shellfish derived glucosamine and products containing same, pursuant to a complaint.
A reintroduced bill to require user protections in P2P software would require a revision of the Distributed Computing Industry Association’s inadvertent-sharing protection principles, the group’s leader said Thursday. The Informed P2P User Act (HR-1319) by Rep. Mary Mack, R-Calif., which has support from Commerce Committee Ranking Member Joe Barton, R-Texas, was also offered late last year. It would require finer-grained user controls over P2P software than companies have been willing to offer.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission has posted its response to a request for an exclusion from the children's product lead content limits of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA) for crystal and glass beads. Like other CPSC responses to such requests, CPSC states it lacks the authority to issue temporary or "emergency" final rules granting exemptions that do not comply with the procedures proscribed by the CPSIA. (See ITT's Online Archives or 02/17/09 news, 09021715, for BP summary of this and other exemption requests and similar CPSC responses.) (CPSC general counsel's response, dated 02/24/09, available at http://www.cpsc.gov/library/foia/foia09/petition/pp41_resp.pdf)
On February 25, 2009, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 1105, the fiscal year 20091 omnibus appropriations bill, which is intended to "wrap up work" on the remaining FY 2009 appropriations bills2.
GENEVA -- Negotiators at the World Trade Organization and non-government organizations remain concerned about provisions under discussion for an Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement, said a deputy ambassador to the WTO. Changes to Swiss customs rules have led to a 250 percent spike in customs interventions, primarily because Internet orders sent through the mail can now be searched. Countries in ACTA talks, launched in late 2007, include the U.S., Switzerland, Australia, Canada, European Union, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Morocco, New Zealand, and Singapore. No text has been agreed to in the negotiations.
CBP has posted an updated version of its 10+2 importer presentation, which provides information on its interim final rule which amended 19 CFR effective January 26, 2009, 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. (See ITT's Online Archives or 02/11/09, 09021115, for most recent BP summary on CBP's 10+2 FAQ, with links to previous parts.) (Presentation, dated 02/19/09, available at www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/trade/cargo_security/carriers/security_filing/10_plus_prgm.ctt/10_plus_prgm.ppt)
Comcast and the NFL agreed on a protective order (CD Feb 17 p9) covering documents and testimony in the league’s case before a FCC administrative law judge against the cable operator, they said in a filing. The order will “protect trade secrets and other commercially sensitive confidential information” that can be shared only among participants in the complaint case over cable-program carriage, along with FCC officials, the judge and others specified.