[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 73 (Monday, April 16, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Page 19518]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-9268]


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INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION

[Inv. No. 337-TA-454]


In the Matter of Certain Set-Top Boxes and Components Thereof; 
Notice of Change of Administrative Law Judge

AGENCY: International Trade Commission.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the U.S. International Trade 
Commission has determined to changed the presiding administrative law 
judge (``ALJ'') in the above-captioned investigation from Judge Debra 
Morriss to Judge Paul J. Luckern. This change was effective as of April 
10, 2001.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tim Yaworski, Esq., Office of the 
General Counsel, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street, 
SW., Washington, DC 20436, tel. (202) 205-3096. Hearing impaired 
persons 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 
the Commission's internet server (http://www.usitc.gov). The public 
record for this investigation may be viewed on the Commission's 
electronic docket (EDIS-ON-LINE) at http://www.usitc.gov/eol/public.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Commission instituted this investigation 
on March 14, 2001, based on a complaint filed on behalf of Gemstar-TV 
Guide International, Inc. and StarSight Telecast, Inc. Seven firms were 
named respondents. Judge Debra Morriss was designated as the presiding 
ALJ.
    On March 21, 2001, Judge Morriss issued a notice in which she 
advised the parties that she owns one of the accused products (an 
EchoStar 4900 set-top box) and that she has an ongoing service contract 
with DISH Network, which she believes is related to EchoStar 
Communications Corporation, one of the respondents. In light of these 
disclosures, Judge Morriss stated that, if any party requested her 
disqualification as ALJ, she would seek to recuse herself from the 
investigation. She directed each party to file a written submission on 
her attorney-advisor, Ms. Cynthia Lynch, by April 2, 2001, indicating 
whether the party requested her disqualification or, alternatively, 
whether the party consented to here continuing to preside over the 
investigation.
    By notice issued on April 4, 2001, Commission Chairman Stephen 
Koplan directed that the submissions ordered by Judge Morriss be filed 
with the Commission by the close of business on April 6, 2001.
    Respondents Pioneer Corporation, Pioneer North America, Inc., 
Pioneer Digital Technologies, Inc., and Pioneer New Media Technologies, 
Inc. subsequently filed a submission with the Commission requesting 
disqualification of Judge Morris as ALJ.
    On April 10, 2001, the Commission issued an order designating Judge 
Paul J. Luckern as the presiding ALJ in this investigation in place of 
Judge Morriss.
    The authority for the Commission's action is contained in section 
337 of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (19 U.S.C. Sec. 1337). Copies 
of the ALJ's notice, the Commission's order, 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.

    Issued: April 10, 2001.

    By Order of the Commission.
Donna R. Koehnke,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 01-9268 Filed 4-13-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7020-02-U