As Vizio’s share of the LCD TV market has grown, so has the number of days it spends in court. In the latest skirmish involving the company, Sony sued Vizio, seeking to have QAM-related patents Vizio acquired from Motorola declared invalid. And Vizio fired a new round in its long legal battle with Funai, suing that company for infringing the same patents.
On May 20, 2009, the Federal Maritime Commission was scheduled to begin posting on its website new statistics detailing the number and types of filings made to the Commission's automated Service Contract Filing System, used by common carriers to confidentially file service contracts, service arrangements, and associated amendments. Beginning with January 2008 data, the newly available filing statistics will include monthly data by the type of filing, i.e., service contract or Non-Vessel Operating Common Carrier (NVOCC) Service Arrangement (NSA), and by category, i.e., original contract or amendment. (Notice, dated 05/20/09, available at http://www.fmc.gov/speeches/newsrelease.asp?SPEECH_ID=278)
In Global Scouring Group, Inc. v. U.S., the Court of International Trade ruled that certain binders made with a rigid paperboard core are properly classified under Harmonized Tariff Schedule 4820.30.001, which covers binders (other than book covers), folders and file covers, a duty free provision.
The Census Bureau reports that the U.S. international deficit in goods and services increased to $27.6 billion in March from $26.1 billion (revised) in February, as exports decreased more than imports. USTR Kirk's statement on the March 2009 trade data is available here. (Notice, dated 05/12/09, available at http://www.census.gov/foreign-trade/Press-Release/current_press_release/press.html)
The National Marine Fisheries Service has issued an advance notice of proposed rulemaking to announce that it is revising the procedures for filing import and export documentation for certain fishery products to meet requirements of the SAFE Port Act of
Representatives of the Coalition of Wireless Microphone Users met with officials from the FCC Office of Engineering and Technology to press their case that wireless microphone users be eligible for treatment comparable to users of white spaces devices under Part 74 of the commission’s rules, the group said in an ex parte filing. The coalition also is proposing that users receive a limited 60-day amnesty period during which they could apply for licenses to cover their grandfathered use of the spectrum. CWMU said “producers of live performing arts, cultural presentations (including religious presentations), professional or amateur sporting events, conventions or trade shows, or the owners or operators of venues where such events take place; or government or educational entities” should be eligible. “CWMU members have been working toward eliminating any of their Wireless Microphones in the 700 MHz band and are preparing to comply with a date to be set by the Commission for completely abandoning that spectrum block,” the group said. “Meanwhile, CWMU is prepared to discuss times and locations for testing with new licensees in the 700 MHz band to ensure there are no disruptions to existing operations pending an FCC decision specifying the date on which Wireless Microphones must cease operations in that band.”
The International Trade Commission has instituted a section 337 patent-based investigation of certain lighting control devices, including dimmer switches and parts thereof pursuant to a complaint.
CBP has issued a CSMS message stating that the Chicago Trade Support Office will be closed on Tuesday, May 12, 2009. For assistance, the trade can contact the Boston, Buffalo, Detroit, Seattle, San Francisco, or Cleveland offices (see CSMS message for phone numbers). (CSMS 09-000222, dated 05/11/09, available at http://apps.cbp.gov/csms/viewmssg.asp?Recid=17612&page=&srch_argv=09-000222&srchtype=all&btype=&sortby=&sby)
The Court of International Trade is currently considering the case of Lizarraga Customs Broker v. Bureau of CBP et al. regarding U.S. Customs and Border Protection's deactivation of the entry filer code of a customs broker who, according to CBP, sold the use of his code to unauthorized third parties and repeatedly misused it in other ways.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued a CSMS message regarding the computer changes necessary for the implementation of the Food and Drug Administration's May 6, 2009 final rule on prior notice (PN) of food (including animal feed), which is imported or offered for import into the U.S.