[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 107 (Tuesday, June 5, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 31094-31095]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-10739]


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INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION

[Investigation No. 337-TA-551]


In the Matter of Certain Laser Bar Code Scanners and Scan 
Engines, Components Thereof, and Products Containing Same; Notice of 
Commission Final Determination of Violation of Section 337; Termination 
of Investigation; Issuance of Limited Exclusion Order and Cease and 
Desist Order

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 that there

[[Page 31095]]

is a violation of 19 U.S.C. 1337 by Metrologic Instruments, Inc. and 
Metro (Suzhou) Technologies Co., Ltd. in the above-captioned 
investigation. The investigation is terminated.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul M. Bartkowski, Esq., Office of 
the General Counsel, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street, 
SW., Washington, DC 20436, telephone (202) 708-5432. 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 
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 investigation was instituted on October 
26, 2005, based on a complaint filed by Symbol Technologies Inc. 
(``Symbol'') of Holtsville, New York. 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 laser bar code scanners or scan engines, components thereof, or 
products containing the same, by reason of infringement of various 
claims of United States Patent Nos. 5,457,308 (``the '308 patent''); 
5,545,889 (``the '889 patent''); 6,220,514 (``the '514 patent''); 
5,262,627 (``the '627 patent''); and 5,917,173 (``the '173 patent''). 
The complaint named two respondents: Metro Technologies Co., Ltd. of 
Suzhou, China; and Metrologic Instruments, Inc. of Blackwood, New 
Jersey (collectively, ``Metrologic'').
    On January 29, 2007, the ALJ issued an initial determination 
(``ID'') finding a violation of Section 337 in the importation of 
certain laser bar code scanners and scan engines, components thereof, 
and products containing the same, in connection with certain asserted 
claims. The ID also issued monetary sanctions against Respondents for 
discovery abuses. Complainant, Respondents, and the Commission 
investigative attorney (IA) each filed petitions for review of the ID 
on February 8, 2007. They each filed responses to each other's 
petitions on February 16, 2007.
    On February 21, 2007, the Commission extended the deadline for 
determining whether to review the subject ID by fifteen (15) days, to 
March 30, 2007. On March 30, 2007, the Commission determined to review 
the final ID in part. Specifically, the Commission determined to 
review: (1) The construction of ``single, unitary, flexural component'' 
in the '173 patent, and related issues of infringement, domestic 
industry, and validity; (2) the construction of ``oscillatory support 
means'' in the '627 patent, and related issues of infringement, 
domestic industry, and validity; (3) the construction of claims 
containing the so-called ``central area'' limitations in the '889 
patent, and related issues of infringement, domestic industry, and 
validity; (4) the construction of the ``scan fragment'' limitation in 
the '308 patent; and (5) the construction of the term ``plurality'' in 
the '308 patent.
    Having examined the record of this investigation, including the 
ALJ's final ID, the Commission has determined to make the following 
modifications to the claim constructions set forth in the final ID: (1) 
The ``single, unitary, flexural component'' in the '173 patent must 
include ``portions integral with each other;'' (2) in the '627 patent, 
the ``oscillatory support means'' must oscillate; (3) limitations in 
the '889 patent containing requirements that the folding mirror be 
``near'' or ``adjacent'' the central area of the collecting mirror 
allow for the folding mirror to be positioned close to, and either in 
front of or behind, the central area of the collecting mirror, but not 
mounted to the collecting mirror outside of the central area; (4) 
``scan fragment,'' as used in the '308 patent, means ``a scan that 
reads less than all of a bar code symbol and that would have been 
discarded before the advent of scan-stitching techniques;'' and (5) the 
term ``plurality'' in the '308 patent means ``two or more.'' These 
changes do not affect the ALJ's findings on validity, infringement, or 
domestic industry. The Commission therefore affirms those findings, as 
well as the finding of a violation of section 337 by Metrologic with 
regard to certain asserted claims of the '627 and '173 patents.
    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 section 210.45 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure 
(19 CFR 210.45).

    Issued: May 30, 2007.

    By order of the Commission.
Marilyn R. Abbott,
Secretary to the Commission.
[FR Doc. E7-10739 Filed 6-4-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7020-02-P