[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 18 (Tuesday, January 28, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 5036-5038]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-01370]


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INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION

[Investigation No. 337-TA-1125]


Certain Height-Adjustable Desk Platforms and Components Thereof 
Issuance of a General Exclusion Order and Cease and Desist Orders; 
Termination of the Investigation

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 issue a general exclusion order (``GEO'') 
prohibiting the unlicensed importation of platforms that sit on an 
existing desk or work surface and can be adjusted to different heights 
that infringe one or more of claims 1-2, 4, and 10-11 of U.S. Patent 
No. 9,113,703 (``the '703 patent''); claims 11, 16, 18, and 22-26 of 
U.S. Patent No. 9,277,809 (``the '809 patent''); claims 1, 4-5, 11-12, 
26, and 33-36 of U.S. Patent No. 9,554,644 (``the '644 patent''); and 
claims 20-21 and 40-50 of U.S. Patent No. 9,924,793 (``the '793 
patent''); and cease and desist orders (``CDO'') against certain 
respondents that had not participated in the above-captioned 
investigation. The investigation is terminated in its entirety.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cathy Chen, Esq., Office of the 
General

[[Page 5037]]

Counsel, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW, 
Washington, DC 20436, telephone (202) 205-2392. 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 (https://www.usitc.gov). The public record for this investigation may be viewed 
on the Commission's Electronic Docket Information System (``EDIS'') 
(https://edis.usitc.gov). Hearing-impaired persons are advised that 
information on this matter can be obtained by contacting the 
Commission's TDD terminal, telephone (202) 205-1810.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On July 30, 2018, the Commission instituted 
this investigation based on a complaint and supplements thereto filed 
on behalf of Varidesk LLC (``Varidesk'') of Coppell, Texas. 83 FR 36621 
(July 30, 2018). The complaint alleges violations of section 337 of the 
Tariff Act of 1930, as amended, 19 U.S.C. 1337, based upon the 
importation into the United States, the sale for importation, and the 
sale within the United States after importation of certain height-
adjustable desk platforms and components thereof by reason of 
infringement of one or more claims of the '703, the '809, the '644, and 
the '793 patents. Id. The complaint further alleges that an industry in 
the United States exists as required by section 337. Id.
    The Commission's notice of investigation named thirty-one 
respondents: (1) Albeit LLC of San Francisco, California (``Albeit''); 
(2) ATC Supply LLC of Plainfield, Illinois (``ATC Supply''); (3) 
Shenzhen Atc Network Scienology CO., LTD. of Guangdong, China 
(``Shenzhen ATC''); (4) Best Choice Products of Ontario, California 
(``Best Choice''); (5) Huizhou Chang He Home Supplies Co., Ltd. of 
Guangdong, China (``Chang He''); (6) Dakota Trading, Inc. of Emerson, 
New Jersey (``Dakota''); (7) Designa Inc. of Guangdong, China 
(``Designa''); (8) Designa Group, Inc. of El Dorado Hills, California 
(``Designa Group''); (9) Eureka LLC of El Dorado Hills, California 
(``Eureka''); (10) LaMountain International Group LLC of Elk Grove, 
California (``LaMountain''); (11) Amazon Import Inc. of El Monte, 
California (``Amazon Imports''); (12) Hangzhou Grandix Electronics Co., 
Ltd. of Zhejiang, China (``Grandix''); (13) Ningbo GYL International 
Trading Co., Ltd. of Zhejiang, China (``Ningbo GYL''); (14) Knape & 
Vogt Manufacturing Co. of Grand Rapids, Michigan (``Knape & Vogt''); 
(15) JV Products Inc. of Milpitas, California (``JV Products''); (16) 
Vanson Distributing, Inc. of Milpitas, California (``Vanson 
Distributing''); (17) Vanson Group, Inc. of Milpitas, California 
(``Vanson Group''); (18) S.P. Richards Co. DBA Lorell of Smyrna, 
Georgia (``Lorell''); (19) Nantong Jon Ergonomic Office Co., Ltd. of 
Jiangsu, China (``Nanotong Jon''); (20) Jiangsu Omni Industrial Co., 
Ltd. of Jiangsu, China (``Jiangsu Omni''); (21) OmniMax USA, LLC of 
Anna, Texas (``OmniMax USA''); (22) Haining Orizeal Import and Export 
Co., Ltd. of Zhejiang, China (``Haining Orizeal''); (23) Qidong Vision 
Mounts Manufacturing Co., Ltd. of Jiangsu, China (``Vision Mounts''); 
(24) Hangzhou KeXiang Keji Youxiangongsi of Hangzhou, China (``Hangzhou 
KeXiang''); (25) Smugdesk, LLC of La Puente, California (``Smugdesk''); 
(26) Venditio Group, LLC of Elkton, Florida (``Venditio''); (27) Versa 
Products Inc. of Los Angeles, California (``Versa''); (28) Victor 
Technology, LLC of Bolingbrook, Illinois (``Victor''); (29) CKnapp 
Sales, Inc. DBA Vivo of Goodfield, Illinois (``Vivo''); (30) Wuhu 
Xingdian Industrial Co., Ltd. of Anhui, China (``Wuhu Xingdian''); and 
(31) Wuppessen, Inc. of Ontario, California (``Wuppessen''). Id. The 
Office of Unfair Import Investigations (``OUII'') was also named as a 
party in this investigation. Id.
    During the course of the investigation, Varidesk settled with the 
following respondents: Venditio, Jiangsu Omni, OmniMax USA, Knape & 
Vogt, Wuppessen, Victor, Versa, Designa, Designa Group, Eureka, Chang 
He, Vision Mounts, Vivo, Nanotong Jon, Best Choice, Grandix, Hangzhou 
KeXiang, Lorell, and Dakota. Order No. 7, unreviewed, Notice (Sept. 18, 
2018); Order No. 11, unreviewed, Notice (Sept. 25, 2018); Order No. 12, 
unreviewed, Notice (Oct. 4, 2018); Order No. 13, unreviewed, Notice 
(Oct. 4, 2018); Order No. 16, unreviewed, Notice (Nov. 9, 2018); Order 
No. 18, unreviewed, Notice (Nov. 29, 2018); Order No. 20, unreviewed, 
Notice (Feb. 21, 2019); Order No. 23, unreviewed, Notice (Mar. 12, 
2019); Order No. 25, unreviewed, Notice (Apr. 5, 2019); Order No. 31, 
unreviewed, Notice (May 16, 2019). In addition, the investigation 
terminated as to LaMountain based on a consent order stipulation. Order 
No. 15, unreviewed, Notice (Oct. 22, 2018). The investigation has also 
previously terminated as to certain claims of each asserted patent. 
Order No. 30, unreviewed, Notice (May 13, 2019).
    On April 11, 2019, Varidesk moved for summary determination of a 
violation of section 337 as to the remaining eleven respondents, who 
were served with a copy of the complaint, but had not filed a response 
or participated in the investigation. On April 24, 2019, Varidesk filed 
a supplement to the motion. The remaining respondents (collectively, 
``the Non-Participating Respondents'') are: (1) Albeit, (2) ATC Supply, 
(3) Shenzhen ATC, (4) Amazon Imports, (5) Ningbo GYL, (6) JV Products, 
(7) Vanson Distributing, (8) Vanson Group, (9) Haining Orizeal, (10) 
Smugdesk, and (11) Wuhu Xingdian. On April 26, 2019, OUII filed a 
response supporting Varidesk's motion in substantial part.
    On September 13, 2019, the presiding administrative law judge 
(``ALJ'') issued an initial determination (``ID'') (Order No. 33), and 
a recommended determination (``RD'') on remedy and bonding. The ID 
granted the motion in part. Specifically, the ALJ found, inter alia, 
(1) that Varidesk established the importation requirement as to each 
Non-Participating Respondent, except for Haining Orizeal; (2) that 
Varidesk established infringement as to all accused products and all 
remaining asserted claims (claims 1-2, 4, and 10-11 of the '703 patent; 
claims 11, 16, 18, and 22-26 of the '809 patent; claims 1, 4-5, 11-12, 
26, and 33-36 of the '644 patent; and claims 20-21 and 40-50 of the 
'793 patent); and (3) that Varidesk satisfied the domestic industry 
requirement for each asserted patent. In addition, the ALJ recommended 
that the Commission issue a general exclusion order and impose a 100 
percent bond during the period of Presidential review. The ALJ also 
recommended that the Commission not issue cease and desist orders 
directed to the Non-Participating Respondents.
    On October 29, 2019, the Commission determined not to review the 
ID. 84 FR 59417 (Nov. 4, 2019). The Commission's determination resulted 
in finding a violation of section 337 as to Albeit, ATC Supply, 
Shenzhen ATC, Amazon Imports, Ningbo GYL, JV Products, Vanson 
Distributing, Vanson Group, Smugdesk, and Wuhu Xingdian, but not as to 
Haining Orizeal. See id. The Commission also requested written 
submissions on remedy, the public interest, and bonding. See id. On 
November 13, 2019, Varidesk and OUII submitted their briefs on remedy, 
the public interest, and bonding. Varidesk further filed a response 
brief on November 20, 2019.

[[Page 5038]]

    The Commission has determined that the appropriate remedy in this 
investigation is: (1) A GEO prohibiting the unlicensed importation of 
platforms that sit on an existing desk or work surface and can be 
adjusted to different heights that infringe one or more of claims 1-2, 
4, and 10-11 of the '703 patent; claims 11, 16, 18, and 22-26 of the 
'809 patent; claims 1, 4-5, 11-12, 26, and 33-36 of the '644 patent; 
and claims 20-21 and 40-50 of the '793 patent; and (2) CDOs prohibiting 
respondents Albeit, ATC Supply, Amazon Import, JV Products, Vanson 
Distributing, Vanson Group, and Smugdesk from further importing, 
selling, and distributing infringing products in the United States. 
(Chairman Johanson and Commissioner Stayin dissent with respect to the 
Commission's determination to issue CDOs in this investigation.) The 
Commission has also determined that the public interest factors 
enumerated in paragraphs 337(d)(1) and (f)(1), 19 U.S.C. 1337(d)(1) and 
(f)(1), do not preclude issuance of these remedial orders. Finally, the 
Commission has determined that the bond during the period of 
Presidential review pursuant to 19 U.S.C. 1337(j) shall be in the 
amount of 100 percent of the entered value of the imported articles. 
The Commission's order was delivered to the President and to the United 
States Trade Representative on the day of its issuance. The 
investigation is hereby terminated.
    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 Part 210 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (19 CFR 
part 210).

    By order of the Commission.

    Issued: January 22, 2020.
Lisa Barton,
Secretary to the Commission.
[FR Doc. 2020-01370 Filed 1-27-20; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 7020-02-P