STMicroelectronics filed a Section 337 complaint March 11 with the International Trade Commission, alleging microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) imported by InvenSense, Roku, and Black & Decker are infringing its patents. MEMS devices are used in portable electronics, power tools, remote controls, and video game controllers to enable these products to sense when they are being rotated, tilted, dropped, or moved in other ways by the user. According to STMicroelectronics, InvenSense directly imports MEMS devices that infringe its patents, while Roku imports remote controls that contain infringing MEMS devices, and Black & Decker imports power screwdrivers that contain infringing MEMS devices. STMicroelectronics is requesting limited exclusion and cease and desist orders against the proposed respondents.
The International Trade Administration published notices in the March 12 Federal Register on the following AD/CV 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 Environmental Protection Agency is extending until Aug. 18 its temporary tolerances for the insecticide tetrachlorvinphos (TCVP) in several meat and poultry products, according to a Federal Register notice set for publication March 13. EPA proposed the extension March 6 (see 13030605), and set an extremely short comment period that expires March 12, but isn't waiting for the comment period to expire to begin the process of publication of it's final rule. The temporary tolerances were set to expire March 18. EPA is extending the tolerances on its own initiative, to give itself more time to review information before making a final decision on tolerances for the insecticide. Requests for a hearing on the extension are due by May 13.
On March 11 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 March 4-10, 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 will hold a public conference in Cincinnati May 1-3, in conjunction with Xavier University, on medical devices. The conference will include presentations from FDA officials and small group breakout sessions. Topics for discussion include a Center for Devices and Radiological Health outlook; European Union regulations; unique device identification; global product strategy; and FDA inspections. Pre-registration is available until April 9 (here), although early registration ends March 13. Registration will also be available on-site, FDA said.
The Food and Drug Administration said a guidance for industry is now available on scored tablet drug applications and labeling. The document, titled “Tablet Scoring: Nomenclature, Labeling, and Data for Evaluation” (here), discusses guidelines and criteria for applications to support approval of a scored tablet, as well as nomenclature and labeling for approved scored tablets, FDA said.
On March 11 the Foreign Agricultural Service issued the following GAIN reports:
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service announced changes March 11 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 issued the following notices for March 12: