[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 32 (Friday, February 15, 2008)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 8836-8837]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-2871]


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INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION

19 CFR Parts 201 and 210


Rules of General Application and Adjudication and Enforcement

AGENCY: International Trade Commission.

ACTION: Extension of time to comment on the proposed rulemaking.

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SUMMARY: The United States International Trade Commission 
(``Commission'') proposed to amend its Rules of Practice and Procedure 
concerning rules of general application, adjudication, and enforcement 
and published a notice of its proposal on December 20, 2007. 72 FR 
72280 (Dec. 20, 2007). The Commission required written comments to be 
filed by 5:15 p.m. within 60 days after publication of the notice of 
proposed rulemaking. Two entities have requested six week extensions of 
time to file their written comments. The Commission has determined to 
extend the deadline by six weeks.

DATES: To be assured of consideration, written comments must be 
received by 5:15 p.m. on March 31, 2008.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by docket number MISC-
022, by any of the following methods:

--Federal Rulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the 
instructions for submitting comments.
--Agency Web Site: http://www.usitc.gov. Follow the instructions for 
submitting comments on the Web site at http://www.usitc.gov/secretary/edis.htm.
--E-mail: [email protected]. Include docket number MISC-022 in the 
subject line of the message.
--Mail: For paper submission. U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 
E Street, SW., Room 112, Washington, DC 20436.
--Hand Delivery/Courier: U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E 
Street, SW., Room 112, Washington, DC 20436. From the hours of 8:45 
a.m. to 5:15 p.m.

    Instructions: All submissions received must include the agency name 
and docket number (MISC-022) or Regulatory Information Number (RIN) for 
this rulemaking. All comments received will be posted without change to 
http://www.usitc.gov, including any personal information provided. For 
paper copies, a signed original and 14 copies of each set of comments, 
along with a cover letter stating the nature of the commenter's 
interest in the proposed rulemaking, should be submitted to Marilyn R. 
Abbott, Secretary, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street, 
SW., Room 112, Washington, DC 20436.
    Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or 
comments received, go to http://www.usitc.gov and/or the U.S. 
International Trade Commission, 500 E Street, SW., Room 112, 
Washington, DC 20436.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James Worth, Office of the General 
Counsel, United States International Trade Commission, telephone 202-
205-3065. Hearing-impaired individuals 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 its Internet server at http://www.usitc.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The proposed amendments to the Rules of 
Practice and Procedure are necessary to

[[Page 8837]]

make certain technical corrections, to clarify certain provisions, to 
harmonize different parts of the Commission's rules, and to address 
concerns that have arisen in Commission practice. The intended effect 
of the proposed amendments is to facilitate compliance with the 
Commission's Rules and improve the administration of agency 
proceedings. The Commission encourages members of the public to 
comment, in addition to any other comments they wish to make on the 
proposed amendments, on whether the proposed amendments are in language 
that is sufficiently clear for users to understand.
    The Commission required written comments to be filed by 5:15 p.m. 
within 60 days after publication of the notice of proposed rulemaking. 
On January 25, 2008, Michael Doane, President of the ITC Trial Lawyers 
Association (``ITCTLA''), submitted a letter to the Commission 
requesting a six week extension of time for filing comments to the 
proposed amendments to the rules. On January 26, 2008, Michael Kirk, 
Executive Director of the American Intellectual Property Law 
Association, also submitted a letter to the Commission requesting a six 
week extension of time for filing comments to the proposed amendments 
to the rules. The Commission has determined to extend the deadline by 
six weeks to March 31, 2008.
    If the Commission decides to proceed with this rulemaking after 
reviewing the comments filed in response to this notice, the proposed 
rule revisions will be promulgated in accordance with the 
Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. 553), and will be codified in 19 
CFR parts 201 and 210.

Background

    Section 335 of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1335) authorizes 
the Commission to adopt such reasonable procedures, rules, and 
regulations as it deems necessary to carry out its functions and 
duties. This rulemaking seeks to update certain outdated provisions and 
improve other provisions of the Commission's existing Rules of Practice 
and Procedure. The Commission proposes amendments to its rules covering 
investigations under section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 
1337) in order to increase the efficiency of its section 337 
investigations. This rulemaking effort began in 2003 when the ITCTLA 
submitted a report to the Commission which suggested several rule 
changes that it believed would make the Commission rules more 
effective. In the course of considering the ITCTLA proposals, the 
Office of the General Counsel and the Office of Unfair Import 
Investigations also suggested various rule changes. The Commission 
invites the public to comment on all of these proposed rules 
amendments. In any comments, please consider addressing whether the 
proposed amendments are in language that is clear and easy to 
understand. In addition, in any comments, please consider addressing 
how the proposed rules amendments could be improved, and/or offering 
specific constructive alternatives where appropriate.
    Consistent with its ordinary practice, the Commission issued these 
proposed amendments in accordance with the rulemaking procedure in 
section 553 of the APA. This procedure entails the following steps: (1) 
Publication of a notice of proposed rulemaking; (2) solicitation of 
public comments on the proposed amendments; (3) Commission review of 
public comments on the proposed amendments; and (4) publication of 
final amendments at least thirty days prior to their effective date.

    By order of the Commission.

    Issued: February 12, 2008.
Marilyn R. Abbott,
Secretary to the Commission.
 [FR Doc. E8-2871 Filed 2-14-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7020-02-P