[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 110 (Friday, June 6, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 32356-32357]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-12738]


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INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION

[Investigation No. 337-TA-533]


 In the Matter of Certain Rubber Antidegradants, Components 
Thereof, and Products Containing Same; Remand of Investigation to 
Presiding Administrative Law Judge; Rescission of Limited Exclusion 
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 to remand the above-captioned investigation 
to the presiding administrative law judge (``ALJ'') for proceedings 
consistent with the December 21, 2007 judgment of the U.S. Court of 
Appeals for the Federal Circuit in Sinorgchem Co., Shandong v. 
International Trade Commission, 511 F.3d 1132 (Fed. Cir. 2007). The 
Commission has also determined to rescind the limited exclusion order 
previously issued in this investigation.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James A. Worth, 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: The Commission instituted this investigation 
on March 29, 2005, based on a complaint brought by Flexsys America L.P. 
(``Flexsys''), alleging a violation of section 337 in the importation, 
the sale for importation, or the sale after importation of certain 
rubber antidegradants, components thereof, or products containing same 
by reason of infringement of claims 30 or 61 of U.S. Patent No. 
5,117,063 (``the '063 patent''), or claims 7 or 11 of U.S. Patent No. 
5,608,111 (``the '111 patent''), or claims 1, 32, or 40 of U.S. Patent 
No. 6,140,538 (``the '538 patent''). 70 FR 15,855 (Mar. 29, 2005). The 
patents teach processes for the production of 4-ADPA and alkylated 
derivatives of 4-ADPA. One of these alkylated derivatives, 6-PPD, is 
used to prevent the degradation of rubber.
    The complaint named as respondents Sinorgchem Co. (``Sinorgchem'') 
of Shandong, China, as well as Sovereign Chemical Company 
(``Sovereign''), Korea Kumho Petrochemical Co., Ltd. (``KKPC''), Vilax 
Corporation (``Vilax''), and Stolt-Nielson Transportation Group Ltd. 
(``Stolt-Nielson''). It was alleged that the accused rubber 
antidegradant products were made using the patented processes. The 
investigation was terminated with regard to the '538 patent, and with 
regard to Vilax and Stolt-Nielson.
    On February 16, 2006, the ALJ issued his final initial 
determination (``final ID'' or ``ID''). The ALJ found that Sinorgchem 
and Sovereign had violated section 337 by infringing the asserted 
claims of the '063 and '111 patents, but found that KKPC had not. All 
parties

[[Page 32357]]

petitioned for review of various parts of the final ID.
    The Commission reviewed the ALJ's final ID in its entirety, and 
solicited further briefing from the parties on the issues on review, as 
well as the on the issues of remedy, the public interest, and bonding. 
71 FR 20131 (April 19, 2006). On review, the Commission found the 
asserted claims to be infringed by Sinorgchem and Sovereign, made a 
determination of violation of section 337 by Sinorgchem and Sovereign, 
and issued a limited exclusion order. The limited exclusion order bars 
the unauthorized importation into the United States by Sinorgchem and 
Sovereign of 4-ADPA, made by a process covered by claim 30 of the '063 
patent or claim 7 of the '111 patent, and 6-PPD, made by a process 
covered by claim 61 of the '063 patent or claim 11 of the '111 patent.
    Sinorgchem appealed the Commission's final determination to the 
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (``Federal Circuit''). On 
December 21, 2007, the Federal Circuit issued its judgment vacating and 
remanding the Commission's final determination for further proceedings 
consistent with the Court's opinion. Sinorgchem Co., Shandong v. 
International Trade Commission, 511 F.3d 1132 (Fed. Cir. 2007). 
Intervenor Flexsys America L.P. (``Flexsys'') petitioned the Federal 
Circuit for rehearing and rehearing en banc. The Commission supported 
rehearing. On April 7, 2008, the Federal Circuit denied the petition 
for rehearing and rehearing en banc. The mandate of the Court issued on 
April 14, 2008.
    Upon consideration of this matter, the Commission has determined to 
rescind the limited exclusion order relating to the importation of 
rubber antidegradants made by Sinorgchem and Sovereign. The Commission 
has also determined to remand the investigation to the presiding ALJ 
for proceedings consistent with Sinorgchem Co., Shandong v. 
International Trade Commission, 511 F.3d 1132 (Fed. Cir. 2007), 
including issuance of a final initial determination on violation and a 
recommended determination on remedy and bonding.
    This action is taken under the authority of section 337 of the 
Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (19 U.S.C. 1337), the Administrative 
Procedure Act, and Part 210 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and 
Procedure (19 CFR Part 210).

    By order of the Commission.

    Issued: June 3, 2008.
Marilyn R. Abbott,
Secretary to the Commission.
[FR Doc. E8-12738 Filed 6-5-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7020-02-P