Certain Pick-Up Truck Folding Bed Cover Systems and Components Thereof (III); Notice of a Commission Determination Not To Review an Initial Determination Granting Summary Determination of Violation of Section 337; Request for Written Submissions on Remedy, the Public Interest, and Bonding, 50370-50372 [2024-12885]
Download as PDF
50370
Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 115 / Thursday, June 13, 2024 / Notices
(b) The respondents are the following
entities alleged to be in violation of
section 337, and are the parties upon
which the amended complaint is to be
served:
Dyson, Inc., 1330 W Fulton Street, 5th
Floor, Chicago, IL 60607
Dyson Technology Limited, Tetbury
Hill, Malmesbury, Wiltshire, SN16
0RP, United Kingdom
Dyson Canada Limited, 8 Spadina
Avenue, Suite 2200, Toronto, ON
M5V 058, Canada
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(4) For the investigation so instituted,
the Chief Administrative Law Judge,
U.S. International Trade Commission,
shall designate the presiding
Administrative Law Judge.
The Office of Unfair Import
Investigations will not participate as a
party in this investigation.
Responses to the amended complaint
and the notice of investigation must be
submitted by the named respondents in
accordance with section 210.13 of the
Commission’s Rules of Practice and
Procedure, 19 CFR 210.13. Pursuant to
19 CFR 201.16(e) and 210.13(a), as
amended in 85 FR 15798 (March 19,
2020), such responses will be
considered by the Commission if
received not later than 20 days after the
date of service by the complainant of the
amended complaint and the notice of
investigation. Extensions of time for
submitting responses to the amended
complaint and the notice of
investigation will not be granted unless
good cause therefor is shown.
Failure of a respondent to file a timely
response to each allegation in the
amended complaint and in this notice
may be deemed to constitute a waiver of
the right to appear and contest the
allegations of the amended complaint
and this notice, and to authorize the
administrative law judge and the
Commission, without further notice to
the respondent, to find the facts to be as
alleged in the amended complaint and
this notice and to enter an initial
determination and a final determination
containing such findings, and may
result in the issuance of an exclusion
order or a cease and desist order or both
directed against the respondent.
By order of the Commission.
Issued: June 7, 2024.
Lisa Barton,
Secretary to the Commission.
[FR Doc. 2024–12892 Filed 6–12–24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7020–02–P
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Jkt 262001
INTERNATIONAL TRADE
COMMISSION
[Investigation No. 337–TA–1353]
Certain Pick-Up Truck Folding Bed
Cover Systems and Components
Thereof (III); Notice of a Commission
Determination Not To Review an Initial
Determination Granting Summary
Determination of Violation of Section
337; Request for Written Submissions
on Remedy, the Public Interest, and
Bonding
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 (‘‘ID’’)
(Order No. 33) issued by the presiding
administrative law judge (‘‘ALJ’’)
granting a motion for summary
determination of violation of section
337. The Commission requests written
submissions from the parties, interested
government agencies, and interested
persons on the issues of remedy, the
public interest, and bonding, under the
schedule set forth below.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Robert J. 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 may be viewed on the
Commission’s electronic docket (EDIS)
at https://edis.usitc.gov. For help
accessing EDIS, please email
EDIS3Help@usitc.gov. General
information concerning the Commission
may also be obtained by accessing its
internet server (https://www.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 this investigation
on February 27, 2023, based on a
complaint, as supplemented and
amended, filed by Extang Corporation of
Ann Arbor, Michigan (‘‘Extang’’);
Laurmark Enterprises, Inc. d/b/a BAK
Industries (‘‘BAK’’) of Ann Arbor,
Michigan; and UnderCover, Inc. of
Rogersville, Missouri (together,
‘‘Complainants’’). 88 FR 12422–23 (Feb.
27, 2023). The complaint alleged
violations of section 337 in the
importation into the United States, the
sale for importation, and the sale within
the United States after importation of
SUMMARY:
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certain pick-up truck folding bed cover
systems and components thereof by
reason of infringement of certain claims
of U.S. Patent Nos. 7,188,888; 7,484,788
(‘‘the ’788 patent’’); 8,061,758 (‘‘the ’758
patent’’); 7,537,264; 8,182,021;
8,690,224; and 9,815,358. Id. at 12422.
The Commission’s notice of
investigation named 21 respondents: 4
Wheel Parts of Compton, California;
American Trucks of Lenexa, Kansas;
Auto Dynasty a/k/a Shun Fung Int’l Inc.
of City of Industry, California;
AUTOSTARLAND Technology (US),
Inc. of Riverside, California; DNA
Motoring of City of Industry, California;
Fanciest Pickup Accessories of
Riverside, California; Future Trucks a/k/
a Future Trading Company, LLC of
Houston, Texas; Ikon Motorsports, Inc.
of City of Industry, California; Jiaxing
Kscar Auto Accessories Co., Ltd. a/k/a
KSC Auto of Pinghu City, China; Kiko
Kikito of Ruian City, China; Lyon Cover
Auto a/k/a Truck Tonneau Covers of
Wenzhou City, China; Mamoru Cover, a/
k/a Ningbo Surpass Auto Parts Co., Ltd.
of Ningbo City, China; MOSTPLUS Auto
of Hong Kong, China; Newpowa
America, Inc. of Ontario, California;
New Home Materials, Inc. of Riverside,
California; OEDRO of Kent, Washington;
Pickup Zone, a/k/a Dai Qun Feng of
Riverside, California; RDJ Trucks, LLC
of Talmo, Georgia (‘‘RDJ’’); Smittybilt,
Inc. of Compton, California; Trek Power,
Inc. of Placentia, California (‘‘Trek’’);
and Wenzhou Tianmao Automobile
Parts Co., Ltd. of Wenzhou City, China.
Id. The Office of Unfair Import
Investigations (‘‘OUII’’) is participating
in this investigation. Id.
The Commission subsequently
granted leave to amend the complaint
and notice of investigation to change the
names of several respondents. Order No.
9 (May 4, 2023), unreviewed by Notice
(May 30, 2023). Specifically, the
Commission granted leave to change the
names of: (1) respondents 4 Wheel Parts
and Smittybilt, Inc. to TAP Worldwide,
LLC d/b/a 4 Wheel Parts; (2) respondent
MOSTPLUS Auto to Ultimate Motor
Parts Limited; (3) respondent OEDRO to
Hong Kong Yintatech Network Co., Ltd.
a/k/a OEDRO; (4) respondent Ikon
Motorsports, Inc. to Advance Tuning,
LLC d/b/a Ikon Motorsports, Inc.; (5)
respondents AUTOSTARLAND
Technology (US), Inc. and Pickup Zone
a/k/a Dai Qun Feng to Autostarland
Technology (US), Inc. dba Pickup Zone;
(6) respondent Mamoru Cover a/k/a
Ningbo Surpass Auto Parts Co., Ltd. to
Ningbo Surpass Auto Parts Co., Ltd.; (7)
respondent American Trucks to
American Trucks Inc. and Turn 5 d/b/
a American Trucks; (8) respondent Kiko
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Kikito to Wenzhou Tianmao
Automobile Parts Co., Ltd. DBA Kikito
and Rui’an Yiming Trading Co. Ltd.;
and (9) respondent Lyon Cover Auto a/
k/a Truck Tonneau Covers to Wenzhou
Tianmao Automobile Parts Co., Ltd.
DBA Lyon Cover and Wenzhou
Chaoming Auto Parts Co., Ltd.
The Commission also terminated two
respondents based on settlement, one
respondent based on the entry of a
consent order, and 14 respondents
based on both settlement and the entry
of a consent order. Order No. 15 (Jun.
13, 2023), unreviewed by Notice (Jul. 11,
2023) (terminating TAP Worldwide,
LLC d/b/a 4 Wheel Parts based on a
settlement agreement); Order No. 17
(Jul. 11, 2023), unreviewed by Notice
(Aug. 9, 2023) (terminating Advance
Tuning, LLC d/b/a Ikon Motorsport, Inc.
based on the entry of a consent order);
Order No. 18 (Jul. 18, 2023), unreviewed
by Notice (Aug. 16, 2023) (terminating
American Trucks, Inc. and Turn 5 d/b/
a American Trucks based on a
settlement agreement); Order Nos. 22,
23, and 24 (Jul. 31, 2023), unreviewed by
Notice (Aug. 28, 2023) (terminating
Ningbo Surpass Auto Parts Co., Ltd.,
Newpowa America, Inc., and New
Home Materials, Inc. based on a
settlement agreement and entry of a
consent order); Order Nos. 25 and 26
(Aug. 1, 2023), unreviewed by Notice
(Aug. 30, 2023) (terminating
Autostarland Technology (US), Inc. d/b/
a Pickup Zone and Fanciest Pickup
Accessories based on a settlement
agreement and entry of a consent order);
Order No. 27 (Aug. 21, 2023),
unreviewed by Notice (Sept. 19, 2023)
(terminating Auto Dynasty a/k/a Shun
Fung International Inc. based on a
settlement agreement and entry of a
consent order); Order No. 28 (Aug. 24,
2023), unreviewed by Corrected Notice
(Sept. 20, 2023) (terminating DNA
Motoring based on a settlement
agreement and entry of a consent order);
Order Nos. 29 and 30 (Aug. 25, 2023),
unreviewed by Notice (Sept. 21, 2023)
(terminating Wenzhou Tianmao
Automobile Parts Co., Ltd., Wenzhou
Tianmao Automobile Parts Co., Ltd.
DBA Kikito, Rui’an Yiming Trading Co.
Ltd., Wenzhou Tianmao Automobile
Parts Co., Ltd. DBA Lyon Cover,
Wenzhou Chaoming Auto Parts Co.,
Ltd., Jiaxing Kscar Auto Accessories Co.
Ltd. a/k/a KSC Auto, Future Trucks a/
k/a Future Trading Co., LLC, Ultimate
Motor Parts Limited, and Hong Kong
Yintatech Network Co., Ltd. based on a
settlement agreement and entry of a
consent order).
On August 22, 2023, the Commission
found RDJ and Trek in default. Order
No. 19 (Jul. 21, 2023), unreviewed by
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19:28 Jun 12, 2024
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Notice (Aug. 22, 2023). On October 6,
2023, Extang and BAK (‘‘Movants’’)
filed a motion for a summary
determination of violation with respect
to claims 2–4 of the ’758 patent and
claims 1–3 of the ’788 patent, and
requested the entry of a general
exclusion order (‘‘GEO’’), the entry of
cease and desist orders (‘‘CDOs’’)
against RDJ and Trek, and the
imposition of a bond rate of 100 percent
during the period of Presidential review.
On October 27, 2023, OUII filed a
response in support of the motion and
the requested remedial relief.
On April 23, 2024, the ALJ issued the
subject ID granting the Movants’ motion
and included a recommended
determination on remedy and bond
(‘‘RD’’) recommending issuance of a
GEO, the issuance of CDOs against RDJ
and Trek, and the imposition of a bond
in the amount of 100 percent of the
entered value of infringing products
during the period of Presidential review.
Specifically, the ID finds that: (1) the
Commission has statutory authority in
the present investigation, in rem
jurisdiction over the accused products,
and that in personam jurisdiction is not
required and is in any event waived by
defaulting; (2) that the importation
requirement is satisfied; (3) that all of
the remaining asserted claims are
infringed by RDJ’s and Trek’s products;
and (4) that Movants have satisfied the
domestic industry requirement with
respect to the ’758 and ’788 patents. In
support of its recommendation for
issuance of a GEO, the RD finds: (1) that
a GEO is necessary in this investigation
to prevent circumvention of a limited
exclusion order and (2) that the record
shows a pattern of violation of section
337 through importation of articles that
infringe the ’758 and ’788 patents, and
that the source of those infringing
articles is difficult to identify. No party
petitioned for review of the ID.
The Commission has determined not
to review the ID.
In connection with the final
disposition of this investigation, the
statute authorizes issuance of, inter alia,
(1) an exclusion order that could result
in the exclusion of the subject articles
from entry into the United States and/
or (2) cease and desist orders that could
result in the respondents being required
to cease and desist from engaging in
unfair acts in the importation and sale
of such articles. Accordingly, the
Commission is interested in receiving
written submissions that address the
form of remedy, if any, that should be
ordered. If a party seeks exclusion of an
article from entry into the United States
for purposes other than entry for
consumption, the party should so
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50371
indicate and provide information
establishing that activities involving
other types of entry either are adversely
affecting it or likely to do so. For
background, see Certain Devices for
Connecting Computers via Telephone
Lines, Inv. No. 337–TA–360, USITC
Pub. No. 2843, Comm’n Op. at 7–10
(Dec. 1994).
The statute requires the Commission
to consider the effects of that remedy
upon the public interest. The public
interest factors the Commission will
consider include the effect that an
exclusion order would have on: (1) the
public health and welfare, (2)
competitive conditions in the U.S.
economy, (3) U.S. production of articles
that are like or directly competitive with
those that are subject to investigation,
and (4) U.S. consumers. The
Commission is therefore interested in
receiving written submissions that
address the aforementioned public
interest factors in the context of this
investigation.
If the Commission orders some form
of remedy, the U.S. Trade
Representative, as delegated by the
President, has 60 days to approve,
disapprove, or take no action on the
Commission’s determination. See
Presidential Memorandum of July 21,
2005, 70 FR 43251 (July 26, 2005).
During this period, the subject articles
would be entitled to enter the United
States under bond, in an amount
determined by the Commission and
prescribed by the Secretary of the
Treasury. The Commission is therefore
interested in receiving submissions
concerning the amount of the bond that
should be imposed if a remedy is
ordered.
Written Submissions: Parties to the
investigation, interested government
agencies, and any other interested
parties are encouraged to file written
submissions on the issues of remedy,
the public interest, and bonding. Such
submissions should address the
recommended determination by the ALJ
on remedy and bonding.
In their initial submission,
Complainants are also requested to
identify the remedy sought and
Complainants and OUII are requested to
submit proposed remedial orders for the
Commission’s consideration.
Complainant is further requested to
state the dates that the Asserted Patents
expire, the HTSUS subheadings under
which the accused products are
imported, and to supply the
identification information for all known
importers of the products at issue in this
investigation. The initial written
submissions and proposed remedial
orders must be filed no later than close
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of business on June 21, 2024. Reply
submissions must be filed no later than
the close of business on June 28, 2024.
No further submissions on these issues
will be permitted unless otherwise
ordered by the Commission.
Persons filing written submissions
must file the original document
electronically on or before the deadlines
stated above. The Commission’s paper
filing requirements in 19 CFR 210.4(f)
are currently waived. 85 FR 15798
(March 19, 2020). Submissions should
refer to the investigation number (Inv.
No. 337–TA–1353) in a prominent place
on the cover page and/or the first page.
(See Handbook for Electronic Filing
Procedures, https://www.usitc.gov/
documents/handbook_on_filing_
procedures.pdf). Persons with questions
regarding filing should contact the
Secretary, (202) 205–2000.
Any person desiring to submit a
document to the Commission in
confidence must request confidential
treatment by marking each document
with a header indicating that the
document contains confidential
information. This marking will be
deemed to satisfy the request procedure
set forth in Rules 201.6(b) and
210.5(e)(2) (19 CFR 201.6(b) &
210.5(e)(2)). Documents for which
confidential treatment by the
Commission is properly sought will be
treated accordingly. A redacted nonconfidential version of the document
must also be filed simultaneously with
any confidential filing. All information,
including confidential business
information and documents for which
confidential treatment is properly
sought, submitted to the Commission for
purposes of this investigation may be
disclosed to and used: (i) by the
Commission, its employees and Offices,
and contract personnel (a) for
developing or maintaining the records
of this or a related proceeding, or (b) in
internal investigations, audits, reviews,
and evaluations relating to the
programs, personnel, and operations of
the Commission including under 5
U.S.C. appendix 3; or (ii) by U.S.
Government employees and contract
personnel, solely for cybersecurity
purposes. All contract personnel will
sign appropriate nondisclosure
agreements. All nonconfidential written
submissions will be available for public
inspection on EDIS.
The Commission vote for this
determination took place on June 7,
2024.
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
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19:28 Jun 12, 2024
Jkt 262001
Practice and Procedure (19 CFR part
210).
By order of the Commission.
Issued: June 7, 2024.
Lisa Barton,
Secretary to the Commission.
[FR Doc. 2024–12885 Filed 6–12–24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7020–02–P
Having reviewed the entire record, the
Agency adopts and hereby incorporates
by reference the entirety of the ALJ’s
rulings, credibility findings,4 findings of
fact, conclusions of law, sanctions
analysis, and recommended sanction as
found in the RD and summarizes and
expands upon portions thereof herein.
I. Findings of Fact
Florida Standard of Care
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Drug Enforcement Administration
[Docket No. 22–52]
Coconut Grove Pharmacy; Decision
and Order
On September 8, 2022, the Drug
Enforcement Administration (DEA or
Government) issued an Order to Show
Cause and Immediate Suspension of
Registration (OSC/ISO) to Coconut
Grove Pharmacy (Respondent) of
Florida. Administrative Law Judge
Exhibit (ALJX) 1 (OSC/ISO), at 1. The
OSC/ISO informed Respondent of the
immediate suspension of its DEA
Certificate of Registration (registration),
Control No. FC1162382, pursuant to 21
U.S.C. 824(d), alleging that
Respondent’s continued registration
constitutes ‘‘ ‘an imminent danger to the
public health or safety.’ ’’ Id. (quoting 21
U.S.C. 824(d)). The OSC/ISO also
proposed the revocation of
Respondent’s registration, alleging that
Respondent’s continued registration is
inconsistent with the public interest. Id.
(citing 21 U.S.C. 823(g)(1),1 824(a)(4)).2
A hearing was held before DEA
Administrative Law Judge Paul E.
Soeffing (the ALJ), who, on March 2,
2023, issued his Recommended Rulings,
Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law,
and Decision (RD or Recommended
Decision). The RD recommended that
Respondent’s revocation be revoked.
RD, at 86. Following the issuance of the
RD, Respondent filed exceptions.3
1 Effective December 2, 2022, the Medical
Marijuana and Cannabidiol Research Expansion
Act, Public Law 117–215, 136 Stat. 2257 (2022)
(Marijuana Research Amendments or MRA),
amended the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) and
other statutes. Relevant to this matter, the MRA
redesignated 21 U.S.C. 823(f), cited in the OSC/ISO,
as 21 U.S.C. 823(g)(1). Accordingly, this Decision
cites to the current designation, 21 U.S.C. 823(g)(1),
and to the MRA-amended CSA throughout.
2 According to Agency records, Respondent’s
registration expired on August 31, 2023. The fact
that a registrant allows its registration to expire
during the pendency of an OSC/ISO does not
impact the Agency’s jurisdiction or prerogative
under CSA to adjudicate the OSC/ISO to finality.
Jeffrey D. Olsen, M.D., 84 FR 68474, 68,76–79
(2019).
3 The Agency has reviewed and considered the
Respondent’s exceptions and addresses them
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Thomas E. Hamilton, Pharm.D.,
testified as the Government’s expert
regarding pharmacy practice and
standards in the state of Florida. RD, at
12–13; Tr. 182–83. Dr. Hamilton
testified that he has over twenty years
of experience as a Florida pharmacist
and is currently employed as a
pharmacist in Northern Miami. RD, at
12; Tr. 176–78, 181.5 As for Respondent,
Mr. Robert M. Parrado, R.Ph., testified
as Respondent’s expert. RD, at 36; Tr.
497–98. Mr. Parrado testified that he has
been a licensed pharmacist in Florida
for over fifty years and has served on the
Florida Board of Pharmacy in various
roles, including as Chairman and as a
member of the rules committee. RD, at
37; Tr. 493–96.6 Regarding Mr. Parrado’s
testimony, the Agency agrees with the
ALJ that Mr. Parrado’s testimony was
not consistent nor logical (particularly
when compared to his prior testimony
in other matters) as Mr. Parrado at times
contradicted the language of Florida’s
regulations and used the term ‘‘red flag’’
inconsistently in a way that created
confusion; as such, his testimony
warrants only minimal weight. RD, at
48–49.7 Where Mr. Parrado’s testimony
diverges from that of Dr. Hamilton, the
Agency, like the ALJ, will credit Dr.
Hamilton. RD, at 49.8
Dr. Hamilton testified that the
standard of care for pharmacists in
Florida is informed by the regulations
herein, but ultimately agrees with the ALJ’s
recommendation.
4 The Agency adopts the ALJ’s summary of each
of the witnesses’ testimonies as well as the ALJ’s
assessment of each of the witnesses’ credibility. See
RD, at 8–49.
5 For Dr. Hamilton’s full qualifications, see RD, at
12–13, Government Exhibit (GX) 9.
6 For Mr. Parrado’s full qualifications, see RD, at
36–37, Respondent Exhibit (RX) 27.
7 The Agency incorporates herein the entire
summary of Mr. Parrado’s testimony as well as the
ALJ’s credibility assessment of Mr. Parrado as set
forth in the Recommended Decision, at 36–49.
8 The ALJ found, and the Agency agrees, that Dr.
Hamilton’s testimony was credible, internally
consistent, and generally logically persuasive. RD,
at 26. As noted by the ALJ, ‘‘[a]lthough at times [Dr.
Hamilton’s] explanation of the factual support and
basis for some of his opinions and conclusions was
brief, overall he presented an objective analysis.’’
Id. As such, the Agency finds Dr. Hamilton’s
testimony to be credible and reliable and affords it
significant weight. Id.
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 115 (Thursday, June 13, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50370-50372]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-12885]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION
[Investigation No. 337-TA-1353]
Certain Pick-Up Truck Folding Bed Cover Systems and Components
Thereof (III); Notice of a Commission Determination Not To Review an
Initial Determination Granting Summary Determination of Violation of
Section 337; Request for Written Submissions on Remedy, the Public
Interest, and Bonding
AGENCY: U.S. International Trade Commission.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the U.S. International Trade
Commission has determined not to review an initial determination
(``ID'') (Order No. 33) issued by the presiding administrative law
judge (``ALJ'') granting a motion for summary determination of
violation of section 337. The Commission requests written submissions
from the parties, interested government agencies, and interested
persons on the issues of remedy, the public interest, and bonding,
under the schedule set forth below.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert J. 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 may
be viewed on the Commission's electronic docket (EDIS) at https://edis.usitc.gov. For help accessing EDIS, please email
[email protected]. General information concerning the Commission may
also be obtained by accessing its internet server (https://www.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 this investigation
on February 27, 2023, based on a complaint, as supplemented and
amended, filed by Extang Corporation of Ann Arbor, Michigan
(``Extang''); Laurmark Enterprises, Inc. d/b/a BAK Industries (``BAK'')
of Ann Arbor, Michigan; and UnderCover, Inc. of Rogersville, Missouri
(together, ``Complainants''). 88 FR 12422-23 (Feb. 27, 2023). The
complaint alleged violations of section 337 in the importation into the
United States, the sale for importation, and the sale within the United
States after importation of certain pick-up truck folding bed cover
systems and components thereof by reason of infringement of certain
claims of U.S. Patent Nos. 7,188,888; 7,484,788 (``the '788 patent'');
8,061,758 (``the '758 patent''); 7,537,264; 8,182,021; 8,690,224; and
9,815,358. Id. at 12422. The Commission's notice of investigation named
21 respondents: 4 Wheel Parts of Compton, California; American Trucks
of Lenexa, Kansas; Auto Dynasty a/k/a Shun Fung Int'l Inc. of City of
Industry, California; AUTOSTARLAND Technology (US), Inc. of Riverside,
California; DNA Motoring of City of Industry, California; Fanciest
Pickup Accessories of Riverside, California; Future Trucks a/k/a Future
Trading Company, LLC of Houston, Texas; Ikon Motorsports, Inc. of City
of Industry, California; Jiaxing Kscar Auto Accessories Co., Ltd. a/k/a
KSC Auto of Pinghu City, China; Kiko Kikito of Ruian City, China; Lyon
Cover Auto a/k/a Truck Tonneau Covers of Wenzhou City, China; Mamoru
Cover, a/k/a Ningbo Surpass Auto Parts Co., Ltd. of Ningbo City, China;
MOSTPLUS Auto of Hong Kong, China; Newpowa America, Inc. of Ontario,
California; New Home Materials, Inc. of Riverside, California; OEDRO of
Kent, Washington; Pickup Zone, a/k/a Dai Qun Feng of Riverside,
California; RDJ Trucks, LLC of Talmo, Georgia (``RDJ''); Smittybilt,
Inc. of Compton, California; Trek Power, Inc. of Placentia, California
(``Trek''); and Wenzhou Tianmao Automobile Parts Co., Ltd. of Wenzhou
City, China. Id. The Office of Unfair Import Investigations (``OUII'')
is participating in this investigation. Id.
The Commission subsequently granted leave to amend the complaint
and notice of investigation to change the names of several respondents.
Order No. 9 (May 4, 2023), unreviewed by Notice (May 30, 2023).
Specifically, the Commission granted leave to change the names of: (1)
respondents 4 Wheel Parts and Smittybilt, Inc. to TAP Worldwide, LLC d/
b/a 4 Wheel Parts; (2) respondent MOSTPLUS Auto to Ultimate Motor Parts
Limited; (3) respondent OEDRO to Hong Kong Yintatech Network Co., Ltd.
a/k/a OEDRO; (4) respondent Ikon Motorsports, Inc. to Advance Tuning,
LLC d/b/a Ikon Motorsports, Inc.; (5) respondents AUTOSTARLAND
Technology (US), Inc. and Pickup Zone a/k/a Dai Qun Feng to
Autostarland Technology (US), Inc. dba Pickup Zone; (6) respondent
Mamoru Cover a/k/a Ningbo Surpass Auto Parts Co., Ltd. to Ningbo
Surpass Auto Parts Co., Ltd.; (7) respondent American Trucks to
American Trucks Inc. and Turn 5 d/b/a American Trucks; (8) respondent
Kiko
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Kikito to Wenzhou Tianmao Automobile Parts Co., Ltd. DBA Kikito and
Rui'an Yiming Trading Co. Ltd.; and (9) respondent Lyon Cover Auto a/k/
a Truck Tonneau Covers to Wenzhou Tianmao Automobile Parts Co., Ltd.
DBA Lyon Cover and Wenzhou Chaoming Auto Parts Co., Ltd.
The Commission also terminated two respondents based on settlement,
one respondent based on the entry of a consent order, and 14
respondents based on both settlement and the entry of a consent order.
Order No. 15 (Jun. 13, 2023), unreviewed by Notice (Jul. 11, 2023)
(terminating TAP Worldwide, LLC d/b/a 4 Wheel Parts based on a
settlement agreement); Order No. 17 (Jul. 11, 2023), unreviewed by
Notice (Aug. 9, 2023) (terminating Advance Tuning, LLC d/b/a Ikon
Motorsport, Inc. based on the entry of a consent order); Order No. 18
(Jul. 18, 2023), unreviewed by Notice (Aug. 16, 2023) (terminating
American Trucks, Inc. and Turn 5 d/b/a American Trucks based on a
settlement agreement); Order Nos. 22, 23, and 24 (Jul. 31, 2023),
unreviewed by Notice (Aug. 28, 2023) (terminating Ningbo Surpass Auto
Parts Co., Ltd., Newpowa America, Inc., and New Home Materials, Inc.
based on a settlement agreement and entry of a consent order); Order
Nos. 25 and 26 (Aug. 1, 2023), unreviewed by Notice (Aug. 30, 2023)
(terminating Autostarland Technology (US), Inc. d/b/a Pickup Zone and
Fanciest Pickup Accessories based on a settlement agreement and entry
of a consent order); Order No. 27 (Aug. 21, 2023), unreviewed by Notice
(Sept. 19, 2023) (terminating Auto Dynasty a/k/a Shun Fung
International Inc. based on a settlement agreement and entry of a
consent order); Order No. 28 (Aug. 24, 2023), unreviewed by Corrected
Notice (Sept. 20, 2023) (terminating DNA Motoring based on a settlement
agreement and entry of a consent order); Order Nos. 29 and 30 (Aug. 25,
2023), unreviewed by Notice (Sept. 21, 2023) (terminating Wenzhou
Tianmao Automobile Parts Co., Ltd., Wenzhou Tianmao Automobile Parts
Co., Ltd. DBA Kikito, Rui'an Yiming Trading Co. Ltd., Wenzhou Tianmao
Automobile Parts Co., Ltd. DBA Lyon Cover, Wenzhou Chaoming Auto Parts
Co., Ltd., Jiaxing Kscar Auto Accessories Co. Ltd. a/k/a KSC Auto,
Future Trucks a/k/a Future Trading Co., LLC, Ultimate Motor Parts
Limited, and Hong Kong Yintatech Network Co., Ltd. based on a
settlement agreement and entry of a consent order).
On August 22, 2023, the Commission found RDJ and Trek in default.
Order No. 19 (Jul. 21, 2023), unreviewed by Notice (Aug. 22, 2023). On
October 6, 2023, Extang and BAK (``Movants'') filed a motion for a
summary determination of violation with respect to claims 2-4 of the
'758 patent and claims 1-3 of the '788 patent, and requested the entry
of a general exclusion order (``GEO''), the entry of cease and desist
orders (``CDOs'') against RDJ and Trek, and the imposition of a bond
rate of 100 percent during the period of Presidential review. On
October 27, 2023, OUII filed a response in support of the motion and
the requested remedial relief.
On April 23, 2024, the ALJ issued the subject ID granting the
Movants' motion and included a recommended determination on remedy and
bond (``RD'') recommending issuance of a GEO, the issuance of CDOs
against RDJ and Trek, and the imposition of a bond in the amount of 100
percent of the entered value of infringing products during the period
of Presidential review. Specifically, the ID finds that: (1) the
Commission has statutory authority in the present investigation, in rem
jurisdiction over the accused products, and that in personam
jurisdiction is not required and is in any event waived by defaulting;
(2) that the importation requirement is satisfied; (3) that all of the
remaining asserted claims are infringed by RDJ's and Trek's products;
and (4) that Movants have satisfied the domestic industry requirement
with respect to the '758 and '788 patents. In support of its
recommendation for issuance of a GEO, the RD finds: (1) that a GEO is
necessary in this investigation to prevent circumvention of a limited
exclusion order and (2) that the record shows a pattern of violation of
section 337 through importation of articles that infringe the '758 and
'788 patents, and that the source of those infringing articles is
difficult to identify. No party petitioned for review of the ID.
The Commission has determined not to review the ID.
In connection with the final disposition of this investigation, the
statute authorizes issuance of, inter alia, (1) an exclusion order that
could result in the exclusion of the subject articles from entry into
the United States and/or (2) cease and desist orders that could result
in the respondents being required to cease and desist from engaging in
unfair acts in the importation and sale of such articles. Accordingly,
the Commission is interested in receiving written submissions that
address the form of remedy, if any, that should be ordered. If a party
seeks exclusion of an article from entry into the United States for
purposes other than entry for consumption, the party should so indicate
and provide information establishing that activities involving other
types of entry either are adversely affecting it or likely to do so.
For background, see Certain Devices for Connecting Computers via
Telephone Lines, Inv. No. 337-TA-360, USITC Pub. No. 2843, Comm'n Op.
at 7-10 (Dec. 1994).
The statute requires the Commission to consider the effects of that
remedy upon the public interest. The public interest factors the
Commission will consider include the effect that an exclusion order
would have on: (1) the public health and welfare, (2) competitive
conditions in the U.S. economy, (3) U.S. production of articles that
are like or directly competitive with those that are subject to
investigation, and (4) U.S. consumers. The Commission is therefore
interested in receiving written submissions that address the
aforementioned public interest factors in the context of this
investigation.
If the Commission orders some form of remedy, the U.S. Trade
Representative, as delegated by the President, has 60 days to approve,
disapprove, or take no action on the Commission's determination. See
Presidential Memorandum of July 21, 2005, 70 FR 43251 (July 26, 2005).
During this period, the subject articles would be entitled to enter the
United States under bond, in an amount determined by the Commission and
prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury. The Commission is
therefore interested in receiving submissions concerning the amount of
the bond that should be imposed if a remedy is ordered.
Written Submissions: Parties to the investigation, interested
government agencies, and any other interested parties are encouraged to
file written submissions on the issues of remedy, the public interest,
and bonding. Such submissions should address the recommended
determination by the ALJ on remedy and bonding.
In their initial submission, Complainants are also requested to
identify the remedy sought and Complainants and OUII are requested to
submit proposed remedial orders for the Commission's consideration.
Complainant is further requested to state the dates that the Asserted
Patents expire, the HTSUS subheadings under which the accused products
are imported, and to supply the identification information for all
known importers of the products at issue in this investigation. The
initial written submissions and proposed remedial orders must be filed
no later than close
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of business on June 21, 2024. Reply submissions must be filed no later
than the close of business on June 28, 2024. No further submissions on
these issues will be permitted unless otherwise ordered by the
Commission.
Persons filing written submissions must file the original document
electronically on or before the deadlines stated above. The
Commission's paper filing requirements in 19 CFR 210.4(f) are currently
waived. 85 FR 15798 (March 19, 2020). Submissions should refer to the
investigation number (Inv. No. 337-TA-1353) in a prominent place on the
cover page and/or the first page. (See Handbook for Electronic Filing
Procedures, https://www.usitc.gov/documents/handbook_on_filing_procedures.pdf). Persons with questions regarding
filing should contact the Secretary, (202) 205-2000.
Any person desiring to submit a document to the Commission in
confidence must request confidential treatment by marking each document
with a header indicating that the document contains confidential
information. This marking will be deemed to satisfy the request
procedure set forth in Rules 201.6(b) and 210.5(e)(2) (19 CFR 201.6(b)
& 210.5(e)(2)). Documents for which confidential treatment by the
Commission is properly sought will be treated accordingly. A redacted
non-confidential version of the document must also be filed
simultaneously with any confidential filing. All information, including
confidential business information and documents for which confidential
treatment is properly sought, submitted to the Commission for purposes
of this investigation may be disclosed to and used: (i) by the
Commission, its employees and Offices, and contract personnel (a) for
developing or maintaining the records of this or a related proceeding,
or (b) in internal investigations, audits, reviews, and evaluations
relating to the programs, personnel, and operations of the Commission
including under 5 U.S.C. appendix 3; or (ii) by U.S. Government
employees and contract personnel, solely for cybersecurity purposes.
All contract personnel will sign appropriate nondisclosure agreements.
All nonconfidential written submissions will be available for public
inspection on EDIS.
The Commission vote for this determination took place on June 7,
2024.
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).
By order of the Commission.
Issued: June 7, 2024.
Lisa Barton,
Secretary to the Commission.
[FR Doc. 2024-12885 Filed 6-12-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7020-02-P