Filing Procedures, 39757-39762 [2011-16359]

Agencies

• INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 129 (Wednesday, July 6, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39757-39762]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-16359]



Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 129 / Wednesday, July 6, 2011 / 
Notices

[[Page 39757]]


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INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION


Filing Procedures

AGENCY: International Trade Commission.

ACTION: Notice of proposed Handbook on Filing Procedures.

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SUMMARY: The United States International Trade Commission 
(``Commission'') proposes to issue a Handbook on Filing Procedures to 
replace its Handbook on Electronic Filing Procedures. The revision is 
necessary to implement a new Commission requirement for electronic 
filing of most documents with the agency. The intended effects of the 
proposed change are to increase efficiency in processing documents 
filed with the Commission, reduce Commission expenditures, and conform 
agency processes to federal government initiatives.

DATES: To be assured of consideration, written comments must be 
received by 5:15 p.m. on August 5, 2011.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by docket number MISC-
036, by any of the following methods:

--Agency Web Site: https://edis.usitc.gov. Follow the instructions for 
submitting comments on the Web site.
--Mail: For paper submission. U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 
E Street, SW., Room 112A, Washington, DC 20436.
--Hand Delivery/Courier: U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E 
Street, SW., Room 112A, Washington, DC 20436, from the hours of 8:45 
a.m. to 5:15 p.m.

    Instructions: All submissions received must include the agency name 
and docket number (MISC-036), along with a cover letter stating the 
nature of the commenter's interest in the proposed rulemaking. All 
comments received will be posted without change to https://edis.usitc.gov, including any personal information provided. For paper 
copies, a signed original and 14 copies of each set of comments should 
be submitted to James R. Holbein, Secretary, U.S. International Trade 
Commission, 500 E Street, SW., Room 112A, Washington, DC 20436. Docket: 
For access to the docket to read background documents or comments 
received, go to https://edis.usitc.gov and/or the U.S. International 
Trade Commission, 500 E Street, SW., Room 112A, Washington, DC 20436.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James R. Holbein, Secretary, telephone 
(202) 205-2000 or Gracemary R. Roth-Roffy, telephone (202) 205-3117, 
Office of the General Counsel, United States International Trade 
Commission. Hearing-impaired individuals are advised that information 
on this matter can be obtained by contacting the Commission's TDD 
terminal at 202-205-1810. General information concerning the Commission 
may also be obtained by accessing its Internet server at https://www.usitc.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Commission proposes to require that most 
filings with the agency be made by electronic means. The Commission's 
Electronic Document Information System (EDIS) already accepts 
electronic filing of certain documents, and will be the mechanism by 
which investigation participants electronically file their documents in 
the future. Persons seeking to file documents will be required to 
comply with the revised Handbook on Filing Procedures, which will 
supersede the Commission's current Handbook on Electronic Filing 
Procedures. The Commission plans to seek public comment concerning 
proposed related amendments to its Rules of Practice and Procedure in a 
separate notice.
    Although the Commission intends to require electronic filing 
through EDIS of most documents, that requirement will be modified for 
certain documents. Notably, documents such as briefs filed in import 
injury proceedings will need to be filed electronically and in paper 
form on the same business day. Certain other documents, such as 
petitions for review in intellectual property-related import 
investigations, will need to be filed electronically, and in paper form 
by noon the next business day.
    The agency anticipates that some documents will not be 
electronically filed through EDIS. Parties filing petitions in import 
injury proceedings, and complaints and motions for temporary relief in 
intellectual property-related import investigations will continue to 
file those documents in paper form, but will be required to file the 
exhibits, attachments thereto in electronic form on portable media 
approved by the Secretary. Materials intended to be used at certain 
conferences and hearings will not need to be filed electronically.
    In addition, the Secretary will have the authority to allow for 
modifications of the requirements for the filing of documents specified 
in the rules and the Handbook. In particular, the Commission 
understands that some investigation participants may encounter 
difficulties in filing electronically. For example, some participants 
may not have full access to the internet. A person or firm that 
believes it will have difficulty filing electronically will have the 
opportunity to file a request for an exemption from the normal filing 
requirement. The Secretary will grant such requests if the submitter of 
the document provides a reasonable explanation for the request.
    The Commission seeks public comment on the proposed Handbook on 
Filing Procedures. The agency will consider these comments in preparing 
to issue a final version of the Handbook.

I. Introduction

    A. This Handbook provides instructions for persons filing documents 
with the United States International Trade Commission (Commission).
    B. In any conflict between the Commission's Rules of Practice and 
Procedure (rules) and this Handbook, the rules shall govern. This 
Handbook is designed to be read in conjunction with the rules. This 
Handbook does not alter or waive any provisions in the rules governing 
the filing of documents with entities and/or persons other than the 
Commission, including but not limited to the United States Secretary, 
NAFTA Secretariat.
    C. If you plan to file a document with the Commission, you must 
comply with the relevant provisions of the rules governing such filing. 
The Commission generally provides for two types of filing, electronic 
filing and filing in paper form. The general rule set out in Sec.  
201.8 of the rules requires electronic filing, but special requirements 
apply to certain types of documents, and the Secretary is authorized to 
make exceptions and modifications to the general rule. Certain 
exceptions and modifications are set out below. The Commission 
generally does not permit filing by means other than paper filing or 
electronic filing. Thus, for example, unless provided for by the rules, 
filing by facsimile and by electronic mail (i.e., sending a document to 
a Commission electronic mail address) is not permitted.

II. Filing Procedures

A. Definitions and Instructions

    (1) ``EFP'' means the Commission's Electronic Filing Procedures.
    (2) ``Secretary'' means the Secretary to the Commission (500 E 
Street, SW., Room 112A, Washington, DC 20436, telephone 202 205 2000). 
The EFP are administered by the Secretary and any questions about EFP 
should be directed to the Secretary.

[[Page 39758]]

    (3) ``Business days'' refers to the days that the Commission is 
open. ``Business hours'' refers to the hours that the Commission is 
open on a given business day (i.e., from 8:45 a.m. to 5:15 p.m., 
Washington, DC local time, Monday through Friday, excepting Saturdays, 
Sundays, Federal legal holidays and other days and times when the 
Commission is closed for other reasons).
    (4) ``EDIS'' refers to the Commission's Electronic Document 
Information System, a web-based software system which will receive and 
store electronic transmissions of filing information and filed 
documents.
    (5) The ``EDIS Web site'' refers to the Commission's Web site which 
provides access to EDIS via the World Wide Web at https://edis.usitc.gov.
    (6) ``Document'' refers to the filing information and associated 
files that all filers must provide pursuant to Sec.  201.8 of the 
rules.
    (7) ``Cover sheet'' refers to the EDIS cover sheet that all filers 
must complete when making a paper filing pursuant to Sec.  201.8(g) of 
the rules. EDIS cover sheets are generated online at the EDIS Web site 
and must contain all necessary metadata about a filing.
    (8) ``Electronic receipt'' means that an electronic transmission of 
a document to EDIS via the EDIS Web site has been successfully 
completed in its entirety. As discussed below, the electronic 
transmission and receipt of a document does not mean that the document 
has been accepted for filing.
    (9) ``Electronic filing'' means the electronic transmission of a 
document and the Secretary's acceptance of the document for filing.
    (10) ``Registered user'' means a person that registers for an 
account within EDIS via the EDIS Web site, enabling their ability to 
file documents with the Commission.
    (11) ``E-mail address of record'' means the electronic mail address 
of a registered user which he or she has provided to the Secretary.
    (12) ``Notice of electronic receipt'' will be provided in two 
forms: (a) An on screen notice of receipt once the electronic 
transmission of the document is complete; and (b) an e-mail sent to the 
registered user's e-mail address of record. The notice of electronic 
receipt only conveys that the document is physically present at the 
Commission and does not mean that the document has been accepted by the 
Secretary for filing in EDIS.
    (13) ``PDF'' means portable document format.

B. Registration as an EFP User and Assignment of Passwords

    (1) To file electronically, you must first become a ``registered 
user'' of EDIS. To register, a user must fill out the EDIS user 
registration form online at the EDIS Web site. Anonymous user access is 
not supported by EDIS to either file or search for a document. The 
online registration process will require identification of the user's 
name, firm affiliation, address, telephone number and e-mail address of 
record. Users must have and maintain a working e-mail address to be a 
registered user.
    (a) Users must select their applicable association in the Firm/
Organization drop-down field. If a user's affiliation in the Firm/
Organization field is not listed, select `Not Listed' if you intend on 
filing a document. You will be presented with an electronic pop-up form 
to provide the relevant information to have your firm included in the 
list. The new firm will be added by USITC staff after your registration 
has been submitted and your account will be updated to reflect your 
association to the new firm.
    (b) All users must designate a user ID and password, and select and 
answer two unique security questions on the registration form as forms 
of authentication for accessing EDIS. Registered users may access EDIS 
for electronic filing without any additional approval from the 
Secretary.
    (c) The user's registration information is used when filing a 
document to populate the document submission fields of `Filed By' and 
`Firm/Organization.'
    (2) Every registered user shall be responsible for keeping his/her 
registration information current.
    (a) Users who leave their registered firm or organization must re-
register with a new user ID and password to file documents so that an 
accurate filing history can be maintained.
    (b) Changes to user information other than the Firm/Organization 
should be requested by contacting the Commission's EDIS Helpdesk at 
202-205-2000 or via e-mail at EDIS3Help@usitc.gov.
    (c) Password and security questions can only be changed or re-set 
by the registered user when logged in to EDIS.
    (3) A registered user may authorize another person to file a 
document with the Commission using the user ID and password of the 
registered user; however, the registered user assumes responsibility 
for any authorized use of his/her user ID and password. The registered 
user and all persons who participate in the preparation of or are 
signatories to a document shall retain responsibility with respect to 
any duties and obligations pertaining to the document under the rules. 
A registered user must comply with applicable limitations on disclosure 
of confidential business information (``CBI'') and business proprietary 
information (``BPI'') pursuant to 19 CFR 201.6, 206.17, 207.7, and 
210.5. As provided in paragraph II(J)(2), a document filed using a 
registered user's user ID and password will be deemed signed by that 
registered user.
    (4) Upon learning of the potential compromise of the 
confidentiality of his/her password, a registered user shall 
immediately change the password via the EDIS Web site. No later than 
the next business day, the registered user must also notify the 
Secretary of the perceived compromise and the period of compromise.
    (5) A registered user who has provided his/her password to an 
employee of the registered user's firm, such as a paralegal, legal 
assistant, or secretary, must change the password upon the employee's 
departure from the firm. Unless there is a perceived breach of 
confidentiality, in such instances, no notification to the Secretary is 
needed.
    (6) You may not electronically file documents with the Commission 
unless you have registered with the Commission pursuant to the 
procedures set forth in paragraph II(B)(1) above.

C. Filing Requirements

    (1) Unless otherwise specified in this Handbook, in the 
Commission's rules, or in other instructions from the Secretary, you 
must file all documents electronically through EDIS using EFP.
    (2) Specific instructions are set out below for certain types of 
documents.
    (a) Import Injury: Antidumping and countervailing duty 
investigations and reviews under Title VII of the Tariff Act of 1930; 
safeguard and market disruption investigations under sections 204, 406, 
421, and 422 of the Trade Act of 1974; investigations under section 302 
of the NAFTA implementation Act of 1994; investigations under section 
22 of the Agricultural Adjustment Act.
    (i) You must file a petition, request, or motion under 19 CFR 206.2 
or 207.10 in paper form. An original and eight (8) true paper copies 
must to be filed. You must file all exhibits, appendices, and 
attachments in PDF format on CD-ROM, DVD, or other form of portable 
electronic media approved by the Secretary.
    (ii) You must file briefs, statements, responses, and comments 
provided for under 19 CFR 201.12, 201.14, 206.8, 207.15, 207.23, 
207.25, 207.28, 207.30, 207.61, 207.62, 207.65, 207.67, 207.68

[[Page 39759]]

electronically, and submit eight (8) true paper copies on the same 
business day.
    (iii) If you file supplementary material or witness testimony 
provided for under 19 CFR 201.13, 207.15, or 207.24, you must submit 
eight (8) true paper copies at the hearing or the conference.
    (iv) If you request confidential treatment of a document, you must 
file a nonconfidential version electronically and submit four (4) true 
paper copies on the same business day.
    (v) You must file applications provided for under 19 CFR 206.17 or 
207.7 electronically; no paper copies will be required.
    (b) Intellectual Property-Based Import Investigations: 
Investigations under section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930.
    (i) You must file a complaint, petition, request, or motion for 
temporary relief under 19 CFR 210.8, 210.75, 210.76, or 210.79 in paper 
form. An original and eight (8) true paper copies must be filed. You 
must file all exhibits, appendices, and attachments in PDF format on 
CD-ROM, DVD, or other form of portable electronic media approved by the 
Secretary.
    (ii) You must file the following documents electronically, and 
submit true paper copies by 12:00 noon eastern time the next business 
day. If the matter is before the administrative law judge, you must 
submit two (2) true paper copies of a written submission. If the matter 
is before the Commission, you must submit eight (8) true paper copies.
    1. Responses to a complaint under 19 CFR 210.13;
    2. Briefs under 19 CFR 210.40 or 210.45;
    3. Comments and responses to comments under 19 CFR 210.50;
    4. Compliance reports under 19 CFR 210.71;
    5. Motions (other than those under C(2)(b)(i) above) and responses 
or replies thereto under 19 CFR 210.12, 210.14, 210.15, 210.16, 210.17, 
210.18, 210.19, 210.20, 210.21, 210.24, 210.25, 210.26, 210.33, 210.34, 
210.52, 210.53, 210.57, or 210.59;
    6. Petitions and replies thereto under 19 CFR 210.43, 210.46, or 
210.47;
    7. Pre-hearing statements and briefs under 19 CFR 210.35 or 210.36;
    8. Proposed fact findings and conclusions of law and responses 
thereto under 19 CFR 210.40;
    9. Submissions pursuant to orders of an administrative law judge.
    (iii) You must file all other written submissions (those documents 
that not listed in sections C(2)(b)(i) and (ii) above, including but 
not limited to discovery statements, notices of appearance, exhibit 
objections, notices of prior art, notices of withdrawal, witness lists, 
and expert reports) electronically.
    (c) You must file documents in other proceedings, including 
investigations under section 332 of the Tariff Act of 1930, 
electronically, and submit eight (8) true paper copies by 12:00 noon 
eastern time on the next business day; except that, if you file 
supplementary material or witness testimony provided for under 19 CFR 
201.13, you must file eight (8) true paper copies with the Secretary at 
the hearing.
    (3) The Secretary may provide for exceptions and modifications to 
the filing requirements set out in the rules and the Handbook. Certain 
exceptions are described below.
    (a) You may request authorization from the Secretary to file a 
document or documents in a particular form in a proceeding by 
electronic mail to secretary@usitc.gov, by facsimile to 202-205-2104 or 
by telephone to 202-205-2000. The Secretary may grant your request if 
you provide a reasonable explanation as to why you cannot file in the 
required form, such as a lack of adequate access to computer or 
internet resources. If the request is granted, the Secretary will 
promptly inform you and provide instructions on how to file your 
documents. Your documents will be accepted for filing only if they 
comply with the Secretary's instructions, the rules, and the Handbook. 
If the request for waiver is granted, the submitter should in a cover 
letter cite the reason(s) for the request and indicate that the 
Secretary approved the request. Service of the document must comply 
with 19 CFR 201.16.
    (b) The Secretary, on his or her own motion, will allow the filing 
of certain documents in paper form. Such documents may include, but are 
not limited to, letters submitted by Members of Congress, officials of 
other U.S. agencies, state and local government officials, and foreign 
government officials who do not represent an interested party in a 
proceeding before the Commission.
    (4) If the EDIS Web site is unable to accept electronic filings 
continuously or intermittently over the course of any period of time 
greater than one hour after 12 noon Washington, DC local time, on a 
business day, the Secretary shall deem the EDIS Web site to be subject 
to a technical failure on that day. If you are unable to file a 
document electronically by the deadline imposed by the Commission 
because the EDIS Web site is experiencing a technical failure, you 
should immediately report the technical failure to the Secretary and 
request authorization to file your document after the deadline. The 
Secretary will promptly grant or deny the authorization. When you file 
your document subject to the authorization, you should also file an 
unsworn declaration provided for in 28 U.S.C. 1746 stating (i) the 
dates and times of the attempted filing (ii) the fact that the Web 
site's technical failure prevented you from making a timely filing, 
(iii) your contacts with the Secretary to report the Web site's 
technical failure, and (iv) the Secretary's granting of authorization 
for you to file after the deadline. If you are making a late filing for 
reasons unrelated to the operating status of the EDIS Web site, you 
should follow the normal procedures in the rules for requests for late 
filings.
    (5) If you discover that the version of the document available for 
viewing on EDIS does not conform to the document that you transmitted, 
please immediately contact the Office of Docket Services, 202-205-1802 
for further assistance.

D. Where Documents Are To be Filed

    (1) To file a document electronically, you should visit the EDIS 
Web site at https://edis.usitc.gov and follow the instructions for 
submitting a document electronically to EDIS. The instructions will 
include the applicable hardware and software requirements for 
electronic filing.
    (2) To file or submit a document in paper form or on portable 
electronic media, you should file it with the Secretary, U.S. 
International Trade Commission, 500 E Street, SW., Washington, DC 
20436, room 112A.

E. Notice of Electronic Receipt

    (1) Upon completion of the electronic transmission of your document 
and upload at the Commission, EDIS will generate and send an e-mail 
notice of electronic receipt of an electronic document to the official 
e-mail address associated with your user ID. The notice of electronic 
receipt contains information from EDIS in order to facilitate tracking. 
A notice of electronic receipt does not constitute acknowledgment by 
the Commission that the document has been properly filed pursuant to 
the rules or this Handbook. Moreover, such notification does not 
constitute service of the document on the parties to an investigation.
    (2) If you do not receive a notice of electronic receipt following 
transmission of a document for filing, please call 202-205-3347, the 
EDIS Helpline, to confirm that your document was in fact not properly 
transmitted. If your transmission failed, you must attempt to (i) re-
transmit the document

[[Page 39760]]

electronically until such a notice is received, or (ii) seek 
authorization to file late or in paper form, in accordance with the 
provisions of section II(C) above.
    (3) If the document is electronically received by EDIS during 
business hours, then the effective filing date and time of the document 
is the date and time that the document has been electronically received 
by EDIS. If the document is electronically received by EDIS outside of 
business hours and is accepted for filing, the effective filing date 
and time of the document will be the next business day.
    (4) Subsequent to the notice of electronic receipt, the Secretary 
will send you a second notice (notice of validation of document) 
notifying you that the document has undergone initial review and, if 
public, is now available for viewing on the EDIS Web site.

F. Deadline for Electronic Filing of Documents

    (1) When the Commission has imposed a deadline on the filing of a 
document, the Secretary will consider the document timely filed 
electronically only if the user has ``clicked'' the ``Confirm'' button 
on the final confirmation page for electronic submission by 5:15:59 
p.m., eastern time, on the day that the document is due to be filed, 
and received e-mail notification of receipt.
    (2) If the filing is submitted prior to a Commission deadline or 
does not have a particular submission deadline date, you may 
electronically transmit a document to EDIS at any time of the day 
(i.e., twenty-four hours/day) and on any day of the week (including 
weekends and holidays). If the filing is submitted after the close of 
business, the filing will be deemed officially received on the next 
business day. You should preserve the notice of electronic receipt of 
the document, which states the time and date that EDIS received the 
document, for your records.

G. Size of Electronic Transmission

    The size of an electronic transmission as a whole is not limited by 
the capability of EDIS. There is no limit to the number of PDF files 
which can be submitted as attachments so long as no one attached file 
exceeds 25 megabytes in size. If a filing includes an attachment that 
exceeds the foregoing size limitation and cannot be broken down into 
multiple PDF files, the Secretary may authorize filing in paper form or 
on CD-ROM, DVD, or other portable media approved by the Secretary, 
pursuant to section II(C) above. All page limits set forth in the rules 
and the Handbook shall remain in effect for purposes of electronic 
filing.

H. Format of Documents

    (1) Documents filed electronically pursuant to this Handbook must 
be submitted in PDF. Please be aware that some special characters used 
in certain word processing applications may not convert easily to PDF. 
The conversion process to PDF may affect pagination as well as the 
conversion of special characters. Filers are responsible for the 
accuracy of the documents submitted.
    The Commission prefers the submission, when practicable, of 
documents converted to PDF from word processed text over that of 
documents converted to PDF from images. Documents converted to PDF from 
word processed text typically have far fewer megabytes than PDF 
documents that have been created from images. Additionally, searches of 
documents converted to PDF from word processed text are more accurate 
within EDIS than on PDF documents created from images. Additionally, 
although EDIS will create a searchable text version of PDF documents 
created from images through an optical character recognition process, 
such a document may contain recognition errors.
    CAUTION: Text based PDF files may permit others to retrieve 
``masked'' or ``whited out'' BPI or CBI. Please remove all ``masked'' 
or ``whited out'' BPI or CBI before filing any electronic document with 
the Commission.
    (2) Each page of an electronically filed document must be in letter 
sized format (i.e., 8.5 inches by 11 inches when printed out by the 
Secretary).
    (3) Documents filed electronically must comply with both the page 
limits set forth in the Sec. Sec.  207.15, 207.25, 207.28, 207.30, 
207.62, 207.67, and 207.68 of the rules and the size limit set forth in 
section G of this handbook.
    (4) When preparing PDF documents for filing, you must comply with 
the following requirements. PDF documents that do not comply with these 
requirements will be rejected by EDIS during the submission process.
    (a) PDF version must be Version 1.3 or greater. (Note: Use of Adobe 
Acrobat is not required, but if it is used, it must be Acrobat 4 or 
greater. This is because only Adobe Acrobat 4 or later produces PDF 
version 1.3.)
    (b) Documents must not have Type 3 fonts. Use of Type 1 fonts is 
recommended.
    (c) You must use only the Roman and Cyrillic alphabets in PDF 
format. Documents in other foreign language alphabets must be scanned. 
Special characters must be checked on conversion to ensure that they 
were not changed during the distilling process.
    (d) Do not attach any embedded files to your PDF document for 
electronic filing. This includes all comments (note tool, pencil tool, 
highlights tool, digital signature tool, embedded files, embedded 
sounds or other multimedia); forms actions; JavaScript actions; 
external cross references, web links and image alternates.
    (e) Document security setting must have a PDF file security setting 
of ``none.''
    (5) Document attachments shall follow these guidelines:
    (a) Files must be attached in the proper logical sequence (i.e., 
motion should be followed by the exhibits).
    (b) Attachments must conform to the following naming convention:
    (i) All attachments relating to a single filing must have the same 
root name, which would be the ``document name'' given by the filer.
    (ii) Each attachment shall constitute a separate PDF file and must 
be numbered sequentially in the order that it appears within the 
document, followed by the total number of attachments (e.g., A Post-
hearing Brief Part 1 of 13). The filer shall also add descriptive 
language identifying the PDF file attachments (e.g. Post-hearing Brief 
Part 1--Ex. 1-10).
    (c) Use logical break points in creating attachments. Avoid 
breaking attachments in the middle of a section (e.g., main textual 
document, exhibit, or appendix) of the filing. An entire attachment(s) 
shall be contained in a single PDF file if possible.
    (d) A single document of less than the file size limit should not 
be broken into multiple attachments.
    (e) The main textual document (e.g., brief, petition, motion) 
should be contained in a separate attachment from material appended to 
the filing (e.g., exhibits), unless the entire document is less than 
the file size limit. Cover letters shall not be filed separately from 
the main textual document.
    (f) Material appended to the main textual document (e.g., exhibits, 
appendices) shall be combined into a single attachment, as long as the 
entire attachment does not exceed the file size limit.
    (6) When redacting BPI or CBI from a document, you should use 
redaction methodology that does not change the pagination of the public 
version, when compared with the BPI or CBI version.

I. Use of Electronic Media

    (1) Documents such as exhibits to complaints or petitions must be 
filed on CD-ROM, DVD, or other portable

[[Page 39761]]

electronic media approved by the Secretary. Other documents, such as 
briefs and motions, may be voluminous and because of the file size and 
network speed e-filing of these documents may be difficult. Pursuant to 
section II(C) above, the Secretary may authorize you to file a document 
on portable electronic media. Each document submitted on portable 
electronic media must conform to the same formatting rules as those 
submitted electronically. Please refer to the EDIS 3 User Guide for 
Submitting Electronic Media for complete instructions on the use of 
electronic media.
    (2) At this time, CD-ROM and DVD are the only accepted media. 
Devices that would require drivers to attach to a USITC workstation to 
be read will not be permitted unless approved by the Secretary. 
Submitted media will be retained by the USITC and only available for 
return to the submitter if an error is found prohibiting acceptance 
into EDIS.

J. Signatures

    (1) A document filed with the Commission electronically shall be 
deemed to be signed by the registered user when the document identifies 
the user as a signatory and the filing complies with paragraphs (2) and 
(3) below. When the document is filed with the Commission in accordance 
with any of these methods, the filing shall bind the signatory as if 
the document were physically signed and filed, and shall function as 
the registered user's signature whether for the purpose of complying 
with the Commission's rules, to attest to the truthfulness of an 
affidavit or declaration, or for any other purpose.
    (2) In the case of a signatory who is a registered user as 
described in paragraph II(B)(1), such document shall be deemed signed 
provided that such document is filed using the user ID and password of 
the signatory and contains the physical signature of the registered 
user using an optical scan format or a typed ``electronic signature,'' 
e.g., ``/s/Jane Doe.''
    (3) In the case of a document to be signed by two or more persons, 
the following procedure shall be used:
    (a) The filing person shall initially confirm that the content of 
the document is acceptable to all persons required to sign the 
document. The filing person then shall attest that original signatures 
have been obtained from each of the other signatories on a paper copy 
of the document. If the filing person complies with the foregoing 
requirements, the Commission shall presume that the filing person has 
the authority to file the document on behalf of all other persons 
required to sign such document.
    (b) The filing person shall then file the document electronically, 
indicating the original signatures that have been obtained, e.g., ``/s/
Jane Doe,'' ``/s/John Doe,'' etc., or by providing a signature page of 
the actual physical signatures using an optical scan format.
    (c) The filing person must retain the hard copy of the document 
containing the original signatures until the earlier of (i) the 
Commission deadline for the destruction of APO materials, if 
applicable; or (ii) one year after the conclusion of the investigation 
and resulting appeals.
    (d) For a document that requires a signature in the presence of a 
notary public (e.g., affidavits), the document instead should contain 
an unsworn declaration clause to be signed by the signatory under 
penalty of perjury. The language for unsworn declarations under penalty 
of perjury is provided in 28 U.S.C. 1746.

K. Limitation on Service of Electronic Documents Between the Parties

    Persons who have filed documents electronically with the Commission 
must comply with the rules in effecting service of the electronically 
filed document on parties in accordance with 19 CFR 201.16. All 
electronically filed documents must be accompanied by a certificate of 
service. Documents filed electronically in all pending matters before 
the Commission, except for proceedings under section 337 of the Tariff 
Act of 1930, are not to be served electronically on other parties 
without the prior agreement of the Secretary. In the case of 
proceedings before an administrative law judge under section 337 of the 
Tariff Act of 1930, the presiding administrative law judge shall 
determine whether electronic service of documents as between the 
parties will be permitted in that proceeding. Parties may only 
effectuate electronic service on recipients who have provided written 
consent thereto to the Secretary or the presiding administrative law 
judge.

L. Copyright and Other Proprietary Rights

    (1) The EDIS Web site shall bear a prominent notice as follows: 
``The contents of each filing in EDIS may be subject to copyright and 
other proprietary rights (with the exception of the notices, orders, 
and opinions of the ITC). It is the user's obligation to determine and 
satisfy copyright or other use restrictions when publishing or 
otherwise distributing material found in EDIS. Transmission or 
reproduction of protected items beyond that allowed by fair use 
requires the written permission of the copyright owners. Users must 
make their own assessments of rights in light of their intended use.''
    (2) By filing any material with the Commission electronically, a 
person shall be deemed to consent to all uses of such materials by all 
parties to the action solely in connection with and for the purposes of 
the action, including the electronic filing in the action (by a party 
who did not originally file or produce such materials) of portions, 
excerpts, quotations, or selected exhibits from such filed materials as 
part of motion papers, pleadings or other filings with the Commission.
    (3) Any dispute that arises among persons regarding the use of 
materials subject to copyright and other proprietary rights must be 
resolved among the persons themselves, without the Commission's 
involvement.

M. Official Record of Commission Proceedings

    The electronic version of any document filed by a party in a 
Commission proceeding will be considered the ``official version'' for 
purposes of compiling the record in a Commission proceeding. Materials 
referenced by hyperlink in an electronic document and relied on by the 
submitter will not be considered part of the document or of the record 
in a Commission proceeding unless the portions of the materials relied 
on are included as an attachment to the document. The filer, however, 
must take into consideration section II(L) when reproducing such 
materials. Please note that any hyperlinked material contained in the 
electronic version of a document must be printed in the corresponding 
paper copy, in conformance with all applicable page limits under the 
rules.

III. Duration

    A. This Handbook is effective as of the date specified in a notice 
published in the Federal Register. These filing procedures shall remain 
in effect until superseded or rescinded.
    B. The Secretary shall amend this Handbook as necessary.

    Authority: 19 CFR 201.8(d).

Appendix I to Handbook on Filing Procedures: Matrix of Instructions

    The following matrix summarizes instructions for certain 
documents commonly submitted to the Commission. If there is a 
discrepancy with the rules, the rules control.

[[Page 39762]]



----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                           File in paper on   File in paper noon
          Document type            File through EDIS   File on CD or DVD    day 1? (No. of      day 2? (No. of
                                      on  day 1?          on  day 1?            copies)             copies)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Import injury petition..........  No................  No................  Yes, 8............  No
Exhibits and appendices to        No................  Yes...............  No................  No
 import injury petition.
Import injury briefs,             Yes...............  No................  Yes, 8............  No
 statements, comments.
Requests under 201.12 and         Yes...............  No................  Yes, 8............  No
 201.14(b).
Applications under 206.17 and     Yes...............  No................  No................  No
 207.7.
Hearing and conference testimony  No................  No................  Yes, 8............  No
 and supplementary material.
Section 337 complaint, motion     No................  No................  Yes, 8............  No
 for temporary relief.
Exhibits and appendices to        No................  Yes...............  No................  No
 section 337 complaint, motion
 for temporary relief.
Section 337 documents such as     Yes...............  No................  No................  Yes, 2
 briefs and petitions, if matter
 is before ALJ.
Section 337 documents such as     Yes...............  No................  No................  Yes, 8
 briefs and petitions, if matter
 is before Commission.
Other section 337 submissions...  Yes...............  No................  No................  No
Section 332, 131, 1205            Yes...............  No................  No................  Yes, 8
 submissions.
Nonconfidential version of        Yes...............  No................  Yes, 4............  No
 confidential document.
Submissions granted waiver by     No................  TBD...............  TBD...............  No
 Secretary.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Notes: 1. ``Day 1'' refers to the date on which a submission is 
due; in the case of a petition or complaint, it is the date on which 
the document is first submitted.
    2. ``Day 2'' refers to the next business day after Day 1; a 
submission on Day 2 is due by noon.
    3. ``TBD'' means ``to be determined'' by the Secretary, who will 
issue appropriate instructions.


     Issued: June 24, 2011.

    By Order of the Commission.
James R. Holbein,
Secretary to the Commission.
[FR Doc. 2011-16359 Filed 7-5-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7020-02-P