Graphics Properties Holdings filed a petition for an International Trade Commission investigation May 17, alleging consumer electronics imported and sold by Panasonic, Toshiba, Vizio, AmTran, and ZTE are infringing its patents. According to the complaint, the products at issue are consumer electronics devices with display and processing capabilities, such as laptops, netbooks, PCs, television sets, HD camcorders, and Blue-ray and DVD players, that combine several pre-existing technologies into a single device. GPH is requesting cease and desist orders and limited exclusion orders against the products purportedly in violation of Section 337, as well as a bond requirement during the 60-day period during which the White House may veto any ITC orders.
Rohm and Hass and its parent company, Dow Chemical, filed a Section 337 complaint May 20 with the International Trade Commission, in an attempt to block allegedly patent-infringing imports of opaque polymers. Opaque polymers are hollow-sphere polymeric pigments that allow paint manufacturers to reduce the raw material cost of their formulations by using tiny air voids trapped in the polymer to scatter light. Rohm and Hass’ patented technology involves a process to obtain polymer particles of uniform and ideal size with higher void fractions and “dramatically improved opacifying properties.” According to Rohm and Hass, Organik Kimya, a company headquartered in Turkey with a Dutch subsidiary, manufactures opaque polymers that infringe its patents. These infringing products are then imported by Turk International and Aalborz Chemical. Rohm and Hass is requesting cease and desist orders and limited exclusion orders blocking import and sale in the U.S. of infringing opaque polymers.
The Commerce Department published notices in the May 21 Federal Register 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 found most of R.W. Beckett Corporation’s pipe fittings are covered by antidumping duty order on non-malleable cast iron pipe fittings from China (A-570-875), in a final scope ruling dated May 14. Of the 76 pipe fittings subject to the scope proceeding, only three were found to be excluded because they were made from aluminum and zinc alloys, instead of cast iron or gray iron.
On May 20 the Food and Drug Administration posted new and revised versions of the following Import Alerts on the detention without physical examination of:
During the week of May 14-20, the Food and Drug Administration modified the following existing Import Alerts (not otherwise listed on the FDA's new and revised import alerts page) on the detention without physical examination and/or surveillance of:
The Food and Drug Administration is taking steps to refuse admission of Rubimed’s REBA Feedback Devices, after discovering that the Switzerland-based company does not have a valid approved premarket approval application for the device, the agency said in a warning letter dated May 6. The device will be put on detention without physical examination for the violations, which also include deviations from current good manufacturing practices and failure to comply with Medical Device Reporting requirements, FDA said.
On May 20, the Foreign Agricultural Service posted the following GAIN reports:
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service announced changes May 20 to Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) electronic manuals. While some changes are minor, other changes may affect the admissibility of the plant products, including fruits, vegetables, and flowers.
The Foreign Trade Zones Board posted updated versions of several forms, in light of changes made to the board’s regulations in a March 2012 final rule (see 12022903, 12030109, 12030212, and 12030507 for four part summary). Updated forms include: