Certain 3g Mobile Handsets and Components Thereof; Commission Determination To Remand Investigation to the Chief Administrative Law Judge Pursuant To Remand From the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, 9277-9279 [2014-03412]
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Investigations, U.S. International Trade
Commission, 500 E Street SW.,
Washington, DC 20436. Hearingimpaired persons can obtain
information on this matter by contacting
the Commission’s TDD terminal on 202–
205–1810. Persons with mobility
impairments who will need special
assistance in gaining access to the
Commission should contact the Office
of the Secretary at 202–205–2000.
General information concerning the
Commission may also be obtained by
accessing its internet server (https://
www.usitc.gov). The public record for
these reviews may be viewed on the
Commission’s electronic docket (EDIS)
at https://edis.usitc.gov.
On
January 23, 2014, the Commission
determined that it should proceed to
full reviews in the subject five-year
reviews pursuant to section 751(c)(5) of
the Act. The Commission found that the
domestic interested party group
response and the respondent interested
party group responses with respect to
the orders on subject imports from
Brazil and the United Arab Emirates to
its notice of institution (78 FR 60311,
October 1, 2013) were adequate. The
Commission found that the respondent
interested party group response with
respect to the orders on subject imports
from China was inadequate but
determined to conduct a full review of
the order concerning China to promote
administrative efficiency in light of the
Commission’s determination to conduct
full reviews of the orders concerning
Brazil and the United Arab Emirates. A
record of the Commissioners’ votes, the
Commission’s statement on adequacy,
and any individual Commissioner’s
statements will be available from the
Office of the Secretary and at the
Commission’s Web site.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Authority: These reviews are being
conducted under authority of title VII of the
Tariff Act of 1930; this notice is published
pursuant to section 207.62 of the
Commission’s rules.
Issued: February 12, 2014.
By order of the Commission.
Lisa R. Barton,
Acting Secretary to the Commission.
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INTERNATIONAL TRADE
COMMISSION
[Investigation No. 337–TA–613]
Certain 3g Mobile Handsets and
Components Thereof; Commission
Determination To Remand
Investigation to the Chief
Administrative Law Judge Pursuant To
Remand From the U.S. Court of
Appeals for the Federal Circuit
U.S. International Trade
Commission.
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
Notice is hereby given that
the U.S. International Trade
Commission has determined to remand
the above-captioned investigation to the
Chief Administrative Law Judge for
assignment to an administrative law
judge (‘‘ALJ’’) for an initial
determination on remand (‘‘RID’’)
concerning certain infringement,
affirmative defense, and public interest
issues following remand from the U.S.
Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
(‘‘Federal Circuit’’).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Megan M. Valentine, Office of the
General Counsel, U.S. International
Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW.,
Washington, DC 20436, telephone (202)
708–2301. Copies of non-confidential
documents filed in connection with this
investigation are or will be available for
inspection during official business
hours (8:45 a.m. to 5:15 p.m.) in the
Office of the Secretary, U.S.
International Trade Commission, 500 E
Street SW., Washington, DC 20436,
telephone (202) 205–2000. General
information concerning the Commission
may also be obtained by accessing its
Internet server at https://www.usitc.gov.
The public record for this investigation
may be viewed on the Commission’s
electronic docket (EDIS) at https://
edis.usitc.gov. Hearing-impaired
persons are advised that information on
this matter can be obtained by
contacting the Commission’s TDD
terminal on (202) 205–1810.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
Commission instituted Inv. No. 337–
TA–613 on September 11, 2007, based
on a complaint filed by InterDigital
Communications Corp. of King of
Prussia, Pennsylvania and InterDigital
Technology Corp. of Wilmington,
Delaware (collectively, ‘‘InterDigital’’)
on August 7, 2007. 72 FR 51838 (Sept.
11, 2007). The complaint, as amended,
alleged violations of section 337 of the
Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1337) in
the importation into the United States,
the sale for importation, and the sale
SUMMARY:
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9277
within the United States after
importation of certain 3G mobile
handsets and components thereof by
reason of infringement of certain claims
of U.S. Patent Nos. 7,117,004 (‘‘the ’004
patent’’); 7,190,966 (‘‘the ’966 patent’’);
and 7,286,847 (‘‘the ’847 patent’’); and
6,693,579 (‘‘the ’579 patent’’). The
notice of investigation named Nokia
Corporation of Espoo, Finland and
Nokia Inc. of Irving, Texas (collectively,
‘‘Nokia’’) as respondents.
On February 13, 2009, InterDigital
moved for summary determination that
a domestic industry exists because its
licensing activities in the United States
satisfy the domestic industry
requirement under 19 U.S.C.
1337(a)(3)(C). On March 10, 2009, the
presiding Administrative Law Judge
(‘‘ALJ’’) issued an initial determination
(‘‘ID’’) (Order No. 42) granting the
motion. On April 9, 2009, the
Commission determined not to review
the ID. Notice (Apr. 9, 2009).
On August 14, 2009, the ALJ issued
his final ID, finding no violation of
section 337. In particular, he found that
the asserted claims of the patents-in-suit
are not infringed and that they are not
invalid. The ALJ further found that
there is no prosecution laches relating to
the ’004, ’966, and ’847 patents and that
the ’579 patent is not unenforceable.
On October 16, 2009, the Commission
determined to review the Final ID in
part. 74 FR 55068–69 (Oct. 26, 2009)
(‘‘Notice of Review’’). In particular,
although the Commission affirmed the
ID’s determination of no violation of
section 337, the Commission reviewed
and modified the ID’s claim
construction of the term ‘‘access signal’’
found in the asserted claims of the ’847
patent. The Commission also reviewed,
but took no position on, the ID’s
construction of the term ‘‘synchronize’’
found in the asserted claims of the ’847
patent. The Commission further
reviewed, but took no position on,
validity with respect to any of the
asserted patents. The Commission did
not review the ID’s construction of the
claim limitations ‘‘code’’ and ‘‘increased
power level’’ in the asserted claims of
the ’966 and ’847 patents, and
terminated the investigation.
InterDigital timely appealed the
Commission’s final determination of no
violation of section 337 as to the ’966
and ’847 patents to Federal Circuit.
Specifically, InterDigital appealed the
final ID’s unreviewed constructions of
the claim limitations ‘‘code’’ and
‘‘increased power level’’ in the ’966 and
’847 patents. Respondent Nokia, the
intervenor on appeal, raised as an
alternate ground of affirmance the issue
of whether the Commission correctly
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determined that InterDigital has a
license-based domestic industry.
On August 1, 2012, the Federal
Circuit reversed the Commission’s
construction of the claim limitations
‘‘code’’ and ‘‘increased power level’’ in
the ’966 and ’847 patents, reversed the
Commission’s determination of noninfringement as to the asserted claims of
those patents, and remanded to the
Commission for further proceedings.
InterDigital Commc’ns, LLC v. Int’l
Trade Comm’n, 690 F.3d 1318 (Fed. Cir.
2012). In particular, the Court rejected
the final ID’s construction of the ‘‘code’’
limitation as being limited to ‘‘a
spreading code or a portion of a
spreading code’’ and, instead,
constructed ‘‘code’’ as ‘‘a sequence of
chips’’ and as ‘‘broad enough to cover
both a spreading code and a nonspreading code.’’ Id. at 1323–27. The
Court also rejected the final ID’s
construction of the limitation
‘‘increased power level’’ as requiring
that the power level of a transmission
‘‘increases during transmission,’’
holding instead that the limitation
‘‘include[s] both intermittent and
continuous increases in power.’’ Id. at
1323, 1327–28. The Court affirmed the
Commission’s determination that
InterDigital has a domestic industry. Id.
Nokia subsequently filed a combined
petition for panel rehearing and
rehearing en banc on the issue of
domestic industry. On January 10, 2013,
the Court denied the petition and issued
an additional opinion addressing
several issues raised in Nokia’s petition
for rehearing. InterDigital Commc’ns,
LLC v. Int’l Trade Comm’n, 707 F.3d
1295 (Fed. Cir. 2013) (Fed. Cir. Jan. 10,
2013). The mandate issued on January
17, 2013, returning jurisdiction to the
Commission.
On February 4, 2013, the Commission
issued an Order directing the parties to
submit comments regarding what
further proceedings must be conducted
to comply with the Federal Circuit’s
remand. Commission Order (Feb. 4,
2013). On February 14, 2013,
InterDigital, Nokia, and the Commission
investigative attorney (‘‘IA’’) submitted
initial comments. On February 19, 2013,
Nokia submitted response comments.
On February 22, 2013, InterDigital and
the IA submitted response comments.
Having examined the record of this
investigation, including the ALJ’s final
ID, the petitions for review, the
responses thereto, and the parties’
comments on remand, the Commission
has decided certain issues and has
determined to remand the investigation
to the Chief ALJ for assignment to a
presiding ALJ to determine certain
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outstanding issues concerning violation
of section 337 set forth below.
With respect to claim construction,
the Commission construes the claim
limitation ‘‘synchronize’’ in the asserted
claims of the ’847 patent to mean
‘‘establishing a timing reference with
the pilot signal transmitted by a base
station.’’
With respect to validity, the
Commission affirms the final ID’s
finding that the Lucas reference does
not anticipate the asserted claims of the
’966 and ’847 patents because it fails to
disclose the claim limitations requiring
the subscriber unit to transmit a code
selected from a ‘‘plurality of different
codes,’’ the limitation requiring the
subscriber unit to transmit a ‘‘message’’
in order to indicate that the subscriber
units wants to establish
communications with a base station, or
the limitation in those claims requiring
an ‘‘access signal’’ to facilitate
communication between the subscriber
unit and the base station. The
Commission also affirms the final ID’s
finding that the Lucas reference does
not render obvious the asserted claims
of the ’966 and ’847 patent. The
Commission further affirms the final
ID’s finding that the asserted claims of
the ’966 and ’847 patents are not
rendered obvious by the IS–95
references combined with the CODIT
reference.
With respect to infringement, the
Commission finds that the PRACH
preamble used in the accused Nokia
handsets satisfies the ‘‘code’’/‘‘signal’’
limitation of the asserted claims of the
’966 and ’847 patents under the Federal
Circuit’s revised claim construction.
The Commission also finds that the
transmission of the PRACH preambles
meets the claim limitation ‘‘increased
power level’’ in the asserted claims of
the ’966 and ’847 patents based on the
Federal Circuit’s revised claim
construction. The Commission further
finds waived Nokia’s argument that the
PRACH preamble and PRACH message
signals in the accused Nokia handsets
are never transmitted. The Commission
also finds that the accused handsets do
not satisfy the ‘‘synchronized to a pilot
signal’’ limitation under the doctrine of
equivalents.
With respect to the issue of domestic
industry, the Commission acknowledges
the Federal Circuit’s finding that Nokia
has waived any argument regarding the
nexus between its licensing investments
and the asserted patents. The
Commission also declines to reconsider
the issue of whether the ‘‘economic
prong’’ of the domestic industry
requirement has been satisfied under
Certain Multimedia Display and
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Navigation Devices and Systems,
Components Thereof, and Products
Containing Same, Inv. No. 337–TA–694,
Commission Opinion, Public Version
(August 8, 2011).
The Commission remands the
following issues to the Chief ALJ for
assignment to a presiding ALJ.
Specifically, the Commission remands
the issue of whether the accused Nokia
handsets meet the ‘‘generated using a
same code’’ limitation or ‘‘the message
being transmitted only subsequent to
the subscriber unit receiving the
indication’’ limitation in the asserted
claims of the ’966 patent. The
Commission also remands the issue of
whether the accused Nokia handsets
meet the ‘‘generated using a same code’’
limitation or the ‘‘function of a same
code’’ limitation in the asserted claims
of the ’847 patent. The Commission
further remands the issue of whether the
3GPP standard supports a finding that
the pilot signal (P–CPICH) satisfies the
claim limitation ‘‘synchronized to a
pilot signal’’ as recited in the asserted
claims of the ’847 patent by
synchronizing to either the P–SCH or S–
SCH signals under the Commission’s
construction of that claim limitation.
The Commission further remands the
issue, concerning the claim limitations
‘‘the message being transmitted only
subsequent to the subscriber unit
receiving the indication’’ and
‘‘transmitting, in response to receipt of
said acknowledgement, an access
signal’’ in the asserted claims of the ’847
patent and as is required by the final
ID’s construction of the limitation
‘‘access signal,’’ whether the PRACH
Message is transmitted during the power
ramp up process.
The Commission also remands the
investigation for the assigned ALJ to
reopen the evidentiary record and take
evidence concerning Nokia’s currently
imported products, including: (1)
Whether they contain chips other than
those that were previously adjudicated,
(2) whether those chips infringe the
asserted claims of the patents-in-suit,
and (3) whether the chips are licensed.
The Commission further remands the
investigation in order for the assigned
ALJ to: (1) Take evidence concerning the
public interest factors as enumerated in
sections 337(d) and (f); (2) take briefing
on whether the issue of the standardessential patent nature of the patents-insuit is contested; (3) take evidence
concerning and/or briefing on whether
there is patent hold-up or reverse holdup in this case; and (4) include an
analysis of this evidence in his remand
ID.
The authority for the Commission’s
determination is contained in section
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Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 32 / Tuesday, February 18, 2014 / Notices
this matter can be obtained by
contacting the Commission’s TDD
terminal on (202) 205–1810.
337 of the Tariff Act of 1930, as
amended (19 U.S.C. 1337).
By order of the Commission.
Issued: February 12, 2014.
Lisa R. Barton,
Acting Secretary to the Commission.
[FR Doc. 2014–03412 Filed 2–14–14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7020–02–P
INTERNATIONAL TRADE
COMMISSION
[Investigation No. 337–TA–862]
Certain Electronic Devices, Including
Wireless Communication Devices,
Tablet Computers, Media Players, and
Components Thereof; Commission
Determinations Not To Review an
Initial Determination Extending the
Date for Issuance of the Final Initial
Determination and Not To Review an
Initial Determination Terminating the
Investigation Based on a Settlement
Agreement; Termination of
Investigation
U.S. International Trade
Commission.
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
Notice is hereby given that
the U.S. International Trade
Commission has determined not to
review an initial determination (Order
No. 69) issued by the presiding
administrative law judge (‘‘ALJ’’) on
January 23, 2014, extending the time for
issuance of the final initial
determination. Notice is also hereby
given that the Commission has
determined not to review an initial
determination (Order No. 70) issued by
the ALJ on January 29, 2014,
terminating the investigation based on a
settlement agreement.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Robert Needham, Office of the General
Counsel, U.S. International Trade
Commission, 500 E Street SW.,
Washington, DC 20436, telephone (202)
708–5468. Copies of non-confidential
documents filed in connection with this
investigation are or will be available for
inspection during official business
hours (8:45 a.m. to 5:15 p.m.) in the
Office of the Secretary, U.S.
International Trade Commission, 500 E
Street SW., Washington, DC 20436,
telephone (202) 205–2000. General
information concerning the Commission
may also be obtained by accessing its
Internet server (https://www.usitc.gov).
The public record for this investigation
may be viewed on the Commission’s
electronic docket (EDIS) at https://
edis.usitc.gov. Hearing-impaired
persons are advised that information on
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The
Commission instituted this investigation
on January 8, 2013, based on a
complaint filed by Ericsson Inc., of
Plano, Texas, and Telefonaktiebolaget
LM Ericsson of Sweden. 78 FR 1247
(January 8, 2013). The complaint, as
amended, alleged violations of section
337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 as amended
(19 U.S.C. 1337), in the importation into
the United States, the sale for
importation, and the sale within the
United States after importation of
certain electronic devices, including
wireless communication devices, tablet
computers, media players, and
televisions, and components thereof, by
reason of infringement of certain claims
of eleven U.S. patents. The notice of
investigation named as respondents
Samsung Electronics America, Inc., of
Ridgefield Park, New Jersey; Samsung
Telecommunications America LLC, of
Richardson, Texas; and Samsung
Electronics Co., Ltd., of the Republic of
Korea. Id. The Office of Unfair Import
Investigations was also named a party.
Id.
On January 22, 2014, all complainants
and respondents (‘‘the private parties’’)
jointly moved to extend the date for
issuance of the final initial
determination from January 24, 2014, to
January 31, 2014. The motion stated that
the private parties had reached a
settlement agreement, and that the
extension would permit the parties time
to file termination papers. The motion
further stated the Investigative Attorney
(‘‘IA’’) did not oppose the motion. On
January 23, 2014, the ALJ found that
good cause existed for the extension,
and granted the motion in an initial
determination (‘‘Order No. 69’’). No
party filed a petition for review of Order
No. 69.
On January 27, 2014, the private
parties moved to terminate the
investigation based on a settlement
agreement. The parties stated that there
were no other agreements, written or
oral, express or implied, between the
private parties concerning the subject
matter of this investigation. The IA filed
a response supporting the motion. On
January 29, 2014, the ALJ issued an
initial determination (‘‘Order No. 70’’)
granting the motion and terminating the
investigation. The ALJ found that the
motion complied with the Commission
rules and that the settlement is in the
public interest. No party filed a petition
for review of Order No. 70.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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The Commission has determined not
to review Order No. 69 and Order No.
70.
The authority for the Commission’s
determination is contained in section
337 of the Tariff Act of 1930, as
amended (19 U.S.C. 1337), and in Part
210 of the Commission’s Rules of
Practice and Procedure (19 CFR Part
210).
Dated: February 12, 2014.
By order of the Commission.
Lisa R. Barton,
Acting Secretary to the Commission.
[FR Doc. 2014–03438 Filed 2–14–14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7020–02–P
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms
and Explosives
[OMB Number 1140–0036]
Agency Information Collection
Activities: Proposed Collection;
Comments Requested: FFL Out-ofBusiness Records Request
ACTION:
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The Department of Justice (DOJ),
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[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 32 (Tuesday, February 18, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9277-9279]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-03412]
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INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION
[Investigation No. 337-TA-613]
Certain 3g Mobile Handsets and Components Thereof; Commission
Determination To Remand Investigation to the Chief Administrative Law
Judge Pursuant To Remand From the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal
Circuit
AGENCY: U.S. International Trade Commission.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the U.S. International Trade
Commission has determined to remand the above-captioned investigation
to the Chief Administrative Law Judge for assignment to an
administrative law judge (``ALJ'') for an initial determination on
remand (``RID'') concerning certain infringement, affirmative defense,
and public interest issues following remand from the U.S. Court of
Appeals for the Federal Circuit (``Federal Circuit'').
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Megan M. Valentine, Office of the
General Counsel, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW.,
Washington, DC 20436, telephone (202) 708-2301. Copies of non-
confidential documents filed in connection with this investigation are
or will be available for inspection during official business hours
(8:45 a.m. to 5:15 p.m.) in the Office of the Secretary, U.S.
International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW., Washington, DC 20436,
telephone (202) 205-2000. General information concerning the Commission
may also be obtained by accessing its Internet server at https://www.usitc.gov. The public record for this investigation may be viewed
on the Commission's electronic docket (EDIS) at https://edis.usitc.gov.
Hearing-impaired persons are advised that information on this matter
can be obtained by contacting the Commission's TDD terminal on (202)
205-1810.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Commission instituted Inv. No. 337-TA-
613 on September 11, 2007, based on a complaint filed by InterDigital
Communications Corp. of King of Prussia, Pennsylvania and InterDigital
Technology Corp. of Wilmington, Delaware (collectively,
``InterDigital'') on August 7, 2007. 72 FR 51838 (Sept. 11, 2007). The
complaint, as amended, alleged violations of section 337 of the Tariff
Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1337) in the importation into the United States,
the sale for importation, and the sale within the United States after
importation of certain 3G mobile handsets and components thereof by
reason of infringement of certain claims of U.S. Patent Nos. 7,117,004
(``the '004 patent''); 7,190,966 (``the '966 patent''); and 7,286,847
(``the '847 patent''); and 6,693,579 (``the '579 patent''). The notice
of investigation named Nokia Corporation of Espoo, Finland and Nokia
Inc. of Irving, Texas (collectively, ``Nokia'') as respondents.
On February 13, 2009, InterDigital moved for summary determination
that a domestic industry exists because its licensing activities in the
United States satisfy the domestic industry requirement under 19 U.S.C.
1337(a)(3)(C). On March 10, 2009, the presiding Administrative Law
Judge (``ALJ'') issued an initial determination (``ID'') (Order No. 42)
granting the motion. On April 9, 2009, the Commission determined not to
review the ID. Notice (Apr. 9, 2009).
On August 14, 2009, the ALJ issued his final ID, finding no
violation of section 337. In particular, he found that the asserted
claims of the patents-in-suit are not infringed and that they are not
invalid. The ALJ further found that there is no prosecution laches
relating to the '004, '966, and '847 patents and that the '579 patent
is not unenforceable.
On October 16, 2009, the Commission determined to review the Final
ID in part. 74 FR 55068-69 (Oct. 26, 2009) (``Notice of Review''). In
particular, although the Commission affirmed the ID's determination of
no violation of section 337, the Commission reviewed and modified the
ID's claim construction of the term ``access signal'' found in the
asserted claims of the '847 patent. The Commission also reviewed, but
took no position on, the ID's construction of the term ``synchronize''
found in the asserted claims of the '847 patent. The Commission further
reviewed, but took no position on, validity with respect to any of the
asserted patents. The Commission did not review the ID's construction
of the claim limitations ``code'' and ``increased power level'' in the
asserted claims of the '966 and '847 patents, and terminated the
investigation.
InterDigital timely appealed the Commission's final determination
of no violation of section 337 as to the '966 and '847 patents to
Federal Circuit. Specifically, InterDigital appealed the final ID's
unreviewed constructions of the claim limitations ``code'' and
``increased power level'' in the '966 and '847 patents. Respondent
Nokia, the intervenor on appeal, raised as an alternate ground of
affirmance the issue of whether the Commission correctly
[[Page 9278]]
determined that InterDigital has a license-based domestic industry.
On August 1, 2012, the Federal Circuit reversed the Commission's
construction of the claim limitations ``code'' and ``increased power
level'' in the '966 and '847 patents, reversed the Commission's
determination of non-infringement as to the asserted claims of those
patents, and remanded to the Commission for further proceedings.
InterDigital Commc'ns, LLC v. Int'l Trade Comm'n, 690 F.3d 1318 (Fed.
Cir. 2012). In particular, the Court rejected the final ID's
construction of the ``code'' limitation as being limited to ``a
spreading code or a portion of a spreading code'' and, instead,
constructed ``code'' as ``a sequence of chips'' and as ``broad enough
to cover both a spreading code and a non-spreading code.'' Id. at 1323-
27. The Court also rejected the final ID's construction of the
limitation ``increased power level'' as requiring that the power level
of a transmission ``increases during transmission,'' holding instead
that the limitation ``include[s] both intermittent and continuous
increases in power.'' Id. at 1323, 1327-28. The Court affirmed the
Commission's determination that InterDigital has a domestic industry.
Id. Nokia subsequently filed a combined petition for panel rehearing
and rehearing en banc on the issue of domestic industry. On January 10,
2013, the Court denied the petition and issued an additional opinion
addressing several issues raised in Nokia's petition for rehearing.
InterDigital Commc'ns, LLC v. Int'l Trade Comm'n, 707 F.3d 1295 (Fed.
Cir. 2013) (Fed. Cir. Jan. 10, 2013). The mandate issued on January 17,
2013, returning jurisdiction to the Commission.
On February 4, 2013, the Commission issued an Order directing the
parties to submit comments regarding what further proceedings must be
conducted to comply with the Federal Circuit's remand. Commission Order
(Feb. 4, 2013). On February 14, 2013, InterDigital, Nokia, and the
Commission investigative attorney (``IA'') submitted initial comments.
On February 19, 2013, Nokia submitted response comments. On February
22, 2013, InterDigital and the IA submitted response comments.
Having examined the record of this investigation, including the
ALJ's final ID, the petitions for review, the responses thereto, and
the parties' comments on remand, the Commission has decided certain
issues and has determined to remand the investigation to the Chief ALJ
for assignment to a presiding ALJ to determine certain outstanding
issues concerning violation of section 337 set forth below.
With respect to claim construction, the Commission construes the
claim limitation ``synchronize'' in the asserted claims of the '847
patent to mean ``establishing a timing reference with the pilot signal
transmitted by a base station.''
With respect to validity, the Commission affirms the final ID's
finding that the Lucas reference does not anticipate the asserted
claims of the '966 and '847 patents because it fails to disclose the
claim limitations requiring the subscriber unit to transmit a code
selected from a ``plurality of different codes,'' the limitation
requiring the subscriber unit to transmit a ``message'' in order to
indicate that the subscriber units wants to establish communications
with a base station, or the limitation in those claims requiring an
``access signal'' to facilitate communication between the subscriber
unit and the base station. The Commission also affirms the final ID's
finding that the Lucas reference does not render obvious the asserted
claims of the '966 and '847 patent. The Commission further affirms the
final ID's finding that the asserted claims of the '966 and '847
patents are not rendered obvious by the IS-95 references combined with
the CODIT reference.
With respect to infringement, the Commission finds that the PRACH
preamble used in the accused Nokia handsets satisfies the ``code''/
``signal'' limitation of the asserted claims of the '966 and '847
patents under the Federal Circuit's revised claim construction. The
Commission also finds that the transmission of the PRACH preambles
meets the claim limitation ``increased power level'' in the asserted
claims of the '966 and '847 patents based on the Federal Circuit's
revised claim construction. The Commission further finds waived Nokia's
argument that the PRACH preamble and PRACH message signals in the
accused Nokia handsets are never transmitted. The Commission also finds
that the accused handsets do not satisfy the ``synchronized to a pilot
signal'' limitation under the doctrine of equivalents.
With respect to the issue of domestic industry, the Commission
acknowledges the Federal Circuit's finding that Nokia has waived any
argument regarding the nexus between its licensing investments and the
asserted patents. The Commission also declines to reconsider the issue
of whether the ``economic prong'' of the domestic industry requirement
has been satisfied under Certain Multimedia Display and Navigation
Devices and Systems, Components Thereof, and Products Containing Same,
Inv. No. 337-TA-694, Commission Opinion, Public Version (August 8,
2011).
The Commission remands the following issues to the Chief ALJ for
assignment to a presiding ALJ. Specifically, the Commission remands the
issue of whether the accused Nokia handsets meet the ``generated using
a same code'' limitation or ``the message being transmitted only
subsequent to the subscriber unit receiving the indication'' limitation
in the asserted claims of the '966 patent. The Commission also remands
the issue of whether the accused Nokia handsets meet the ``generated
using a same code'' limitation or the ``function of a same code''
limitation in the asserted claims of the '847 patent. The Commission
further remands the issue of whether the 3GPP standard supports a
finding that the pilot signal (P-CPICH) satisfies the claim limitation
``synchronized to a pilot signal'' as recited in the asserted claims of
the '847 patent by synchronizing to either the P-SCH or S-SCH signals
under the Commission's construction of that claim limitation. The
Commission further remands the issue, concerning the claim limitations
``the message being transmitted only subsequent to the subscriber unit
receiving the indication'' and ``transmitting, in response to receipt
of said acknowledgement, an access signal'' in the asserted claims of
the '847 patent and as is required by the final ID's construction of
the limitation ``access signal,'' whether the PRACH Message is
transmitted during the power ramp up process.
The Commission also remands the investigation for the assigned ALJ
to reopen the evidentiary record and take evidence concerning Nokia's
currently imported products, including: (1) Whether they contain chips
other than those that were previously adjudicated, (2) whether those
chips infringe the asserted claims of the patents-in-suit, and (3)
whether the chips are licensed. The Commission further remands the
investigation in order for the assigned ALJ to: (1) Take evidence
concerning the public interest factors as enumerated in sections 337(d)
and (f); (2) take briefing on whether the issue of the standard-
essential patent nature of the patents-in-suit is contested; (3) take
evidence concerning and/or briefing on whether there is patent hold-up
or reverse hold-up in this case; and (4) include an analysis of this
evidence in his remand ID.
The authority for the Commission's determination is contained in
section
[[Page 9279]]
337 of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (19 U.S.C. 1337).
By order of the Commission.
Issued: February 12, 2014.
Lisa R. Barton,
Acting Secretary to the Commission.
[FR Doc. 2014-03412 Filed 2-14-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7020-02-P