[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 129 (Thursday, July 7, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-16471]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: July 7, 1994]


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INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION

[Investigation No. 337-TA-360]

 

Decision Not To Review an Initial Determination Finding a 
Violation of Section 337 and Schedule for the Filing of Written 
Submissions on Remedy, the Public Interest, and Bonding

AGENCY: International Trade Commission.

ACTION: Notice.

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    In the Matter of: Certain Devices for Connecting Computers Via 
Telephone Lines.

SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the U.S. International Trade 
Commission has determined not to review the presiding administrative 
law judge's (ALJ) final initial determination (ID) issued on May 24, 
1994, in the above-captioned investigation finding a violation of 
section 337 in the importation into the United States, and the sale 
within the United States after importation, of certain devices for 
connecting computers via telephone lines.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Elizabeth C. Rose, Esq., Office of the 
General Counsel, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW., 
Washington, DC 20436. Telephone: (202) 205-3113.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Farallon Computing, Inc. (``Farallon'') 
filed a complaint on October 12, 1993, pursuant to section 337 of the 
Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. Sec. 1337) alleging that 16 respondents 
had violated section 337 in the importation into the United States, the 
sale for importation, or the sale within the United States after 
importation of certain devices for connecting computers via telephone 
lines. Those 16 respondents were: (1) ABL Electronics Corp. (``ABL''), 
(2) Caltechnology International Ltd. (``Caltechnology''), (3) CPU 
Products (``CPU''), (4) Enhance Cable Technology (``Enhance''), (5) 
Focus Enhancements, Inc. (``Focus''), (6) Full Enterprises Corp. 
(``Full''), (7) Good Way Industrial Co., Ltd. (``Good Way''), (8) 
MACProducts (USA) (now known as DGR Technologies, Inc.) (``DGR''), (9) 
MicroComputer Cable Co., Inc. (``MCC''), (10) Ming Technology Corp. 
(``Ming''), (11) Pan International (USA) (``Pan''), (12) Shiunn Yang 
Enterprises Co., Ltd. (``Shiunn Yang''), (13) Taiwan Techtron Corp. 
(``Techtron''), (14) Technology Works, Inc. (``TechWorks''), (15) Total 
Technologies, Ltd. (``Total''), and (16) Tremon Enterprises Co., Ltd. 
(``Tremon''). Complainant Farallon alleged infringement of certain 
claims of U.S. Letters Patent 5,003,579, which it owns. The Commission 
published a notice of investigation in the Federal Register on November 
17, 1993 (58 FR 60671). Two additional respondents were subsequently 
added to the investigation: Ji-Haw Industrial Co., Ltd. (``Ji-Haw''), 
and Tri-Tech Instruments Co., Ltd. (``Tri-Tech''). See 59 Fed. Reg. 
10164 (March 3, 1994).
    Of the 18 respondents named in this investigation, the Commission 
has approved terminations based on settlements with respect to the 
following 16 respondents: ABL, Caltechnology, CPU, DGR, Enhance, Focus, 
Full, Good Way, Ji-Haw, MCC, Ming, Pan, Shiunn Yang, Techtron, Total, 
and Tremon. Only respondents Tri-Tech and TechWorks have not settled 
with complainant Farallon.
    On April 26, 1994, the ALJ granted Farallon's motion for a summary 
determination that a domestic industry exists in accordance with 
subsections 337(a)(2) and (a)(3). The Commission published a notice of 
its decision not to review that ID on May 24, 1994. See 59 Fed. Reg. 
26811-12 (May 24, 1994).
    On April 28, 1994, Farallon filed a motion for summary 
determination of violation of section 337. The motion was unopposed by 
any respondent and was supported by the Commission investigative 
attorney. On May 24, 1994, the presiding ALJ issued an ID finding that 
there was a violation of section 337. The ALJ found that the '579 
patent was valid and infringed, that Tri-Tech imported the infringing 
product into the United States, and that after importation, TechWorks 
sold the infringing product in the United States. No petitions for 
review of the ID or government comments were received by the 
Commission.
    In connection with final disposition of this investigation, the 
Commission may issue (1) An 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 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 the Commission contemplates some form of remedy, it must 
consider the effects of that remedy upon the public interest. The 
factors the Commission will consider include the effect that an 
exclusion order and/or cease and desist orders 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 President has 60 
days to approve or disapprove the Commission's action. During this 
period, the subject articles would be entitled to enter the United 
States under a 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 remedial orders are issued.

Written Submissions

    The parties to the investigation, interested government agencies, 
and any other interested persons are encouraged to file written 
submissions on the issues of remedy, the public interest, and bonding.
    Complainant and the Commission investigative attorney are also 
requested to submit proposed remedial orders for the Commission's 
consideration. The written submissions and proposed remedial orders 
must be filed no later than the close of business on July 8, 1994. 
Reply submissions must be filed no later than the close of business on 
July 15, 1994. No further submissions will be permitted unless 
otherwise ordered by the Commission.
    Persons filing written submissions must file with the Office of the 
Secretary the original document and 14 true copies thereof on or before 
the deadlines stated above. Any person desiring to submit a document 
(or portion thereof) to the Commission in confidence must request 
confidential treatment unless the information has already been granted 
such treatment during the proceedings. All such requests should be 
directed to the Secretary of the Commission and must include a full 
statement of the reasons why the Commission should grant such 
treatment. See 19 CFR 201.6. Documents for which confidential treatment 
is granted by the Commission will be treated accordingly. All 
nonconfidential written submissions will be available for public 
inspection at the Office of the Secretary.
    This action is taken under the authority of section 337 of the 
Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (19 U.S.C. 1337), and sections 210.53 
and 210.58 of the Commission's Interim Rules of Practice and Procedure 
(19 CFR 210.53 and 210.58).
    Copies of the ID and all other nonconfidential 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. Hearing-
impaired persons are advised that information on the matter can be 
obtained by contacting the Commission's TDD terminal on 202-205-1810.

    Issued: June 29, 1994.

    By order of the Commission.
Donna R. Koehnke,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 94-16471 Filed 7-6-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7020-02-P