[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 111 (Friday, June 10, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 33922-33923]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-11482]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION

[Inv. No. 337-TA-503]


In the Matter of Certain Automated Mechanical Transmission 
Systems for Medium-Duty and Heavy-Duty Trucks and Components Thereof; 
Notice of Institution of Formal Consolidated Enforcement and Advisory 
Opinion Proceedings

AGENCY: U.S. International Trade Commission

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the U.S. International Trade 
Commission has instituted a formal enforcement proceeding relating to 
certain remedial orders issued at the conclusion of the above-captioned 
investigation. The Commission has also instituted advisory opinion 
proceedings in the same investigation.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rodney Maze, Esq., Office of the 
General Counsel, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street, 
SW., Washington, DC 20436, telephone (202) 205-3065. 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 
(http://www.usitc.gov). The public record for this investigation may be 
viewed on the Commission's electronic docket (EDIS) at http://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: This patent-based section 337 investigation 
was instituted by the Commission on January 7, 2004, based on a 
complaint filed by Eaton Corporation (``Eaton'') of Cleveland, Ohio. 67 
FR 937 (January 7, 2004). The complaint, as supplemented, alleged 
violations of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 in the importation 
into the United States, the sale for importation, and the sale within 
the United States after importation of certain automated mechanical 
transmission (``AMT'') systems for medium-duty and heavy-duty trucks, 
and components thereof, by reason of infringement of claim 15 of U.S. 
patent No. 4,899,279 (``the `279 patent''); claims 1-20 of U.S. Patent 
No. 5,335,566 (``thee `566 patent''); claims 2-4 and 6-16 of U.S. 
Patent No. 5,272,939 (``the `939 patent''); claims 1-13 of U.S. Patent 
No. 5,624,350 (``the `350 patent''); claims 1, 3, 4, 6-9, 11, 13, 14, 
16 and 17 of U.S. Patent No. 6,149,545 (``the `545 patent''); and 
claims 1-16 of U.S. Patent No. 6,066,071 (``the `071 patent''). The 
complaint and notice of investigation named three respondents ZF 
Meritor, LLC of Maxton, North Carolina, ZF Friedrichshafen AG of 
Freidrichshafen, Germany, and ArvinMeritor, Inc. (``ArvinMeritor'') of 
Troy, Michigan.
    On January 7, 2005, the ALJ issued his final ID on violation and 
his recommended determination on remedy and bonding. The ALJ found a 
violation of section 337 by reason of infringement of claims 15 of the 
`279 patent by respondents. He found no violation of section 337 
regarding the `566 and the `545 patents. Petitions for review were 
filed by Eaton, the respondents, and the commission investigative 
attorney

[[Page 33923]]

(``IA'') on January 21, 2005. All parties filed responses to the 
petitions on January 28, 2005.
    On February 24, 2005, the Commission issued a notice indicating 
that it has determined not to review the ALJ's final ID on violation, 
thereby finding a violation of section 337. The Commission also called 
for briefing on the issues of remedy, the pubic interest and bonding. 
All parties filed timely written submissions regarding those issues. On 
April 7, 2005, the Commission issued a limited exclusion order and a 
cease and desist order covering AMT systems for medium-duty and heavy-
duty trucks, and components thereof. 70 FR 19094 (April 13, 2005).
    On April 21, 2005, the respondents filed a request for issuance of 
an advisory opinion. The IA and the complainant each filed a response 
on May 2, 2005, and May 4, 2005, respectively. On May 11, 2005, the 
complainant filed a complaint for enforcement proceedings of the 
Commission's remedial orders. On May 24, 2005, complaint amended its 
enforcement complaint.
    The Commission, having examined the amended complaint for a formal 
enforcement proceeding filed by the complainant, and having found that 
the amended complaint complies with the requirements for institution of 
a formal enforcement proceeding, determined to institute formal 
enforcement proceedings to determine whether the two respondents listed 
below are in violation of the Commission's limited exclusion order and/
or cease and desist order issued in the investigation, and what if any 
enforcement measures are appropriate.
    The following were named as parties to the formal enforcement 
proceeding: (1) Complainant Eaton Corporation (2) respondent ZF 
Friedrichshafen AG, (3) respondent ArvinMeritor, Inc.; and (4) a 
Commission investigative attorney to be designated by the Director, 
Office of Unfair Import Investigations.
    The Commission, having examined the request for an advisory opinion 
filed by the respondents, and having found that the request complies 
with the requirements for institution of advisory opinion proceedings, 
determined to institute advisory opinion proceedings to determine 
whether the importation of the respondents' redesigned FreedomLine 
transmission system would violate the limited exclusion order issued in 
the above-captioned investigation. The following were named as parties 
to the advisory opinion proceedings.: (1) Complainant Eaton Corporation 
(2) respondent ZF Friedrichshafen AG, (3) respondent ArvinMeritor, 
Inc.; and (4) a Commission investigative attorney to be designated by 
the Director, Office of Unfair Import Investigations.
    The authority for the Commission's determination is contained in 
section 337 of the Tariff of 1930, as amended (19 U.S.C. 1337), and in 
sections 210.75 and 210.79 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and 
Procedure (19 CFR 210.75 and 210.79).

    By order of the Commission.

    Issued: June 6, 2005.
Marilyn R. Abbott,
Secretary to the Commission.
[FR Doc. 05-11482 Filed 6-9-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4210-29-M