[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 143 (Friday, July 24, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Page 44923]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-16029]


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

INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION

[Investigation No. 337-TA-1194]


Certain High-Density Fiber Optic Equipment and Components 
Thereof; Commission Determination Not To Review an Initial 
Determination Granting a Motion To Amend the Complaint and Notice of 
Investigation

AGENCY: U.S. International Trade Commission.

ACTION: Notice.

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

SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the U.S. International Trade 
Commission has determined not to review an initial determination 
(``ID'') (Order No. 9) of the presiding administrative law judge 
(``ALJ''), granting complainant's unopposed motion to amend the 
complaint and notice of investigation (``NOI'') to add proposed 
respondent AFL Telecommunications LLC (``AFL Telecommunications'') and 
to terminate respondent AFL Telecommunications Holdings LLC (``AFL 
Holdings'').

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cathy Chen, Office of the General 
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 may 
be viewed on the Commission's electronic docket (EDIS) at https://edis.usitc.gov. For help accessing EDIS, please email 
[email protected]. General information concerning the Commission may 
also be obtained by accessing its internet server at https://www.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 24, 2020, based on a complaint filed on behalf of Corning 
Optical Communications LLC (``Corning'') of Charlotte, North Carolina. 
85 FR 16653 (Mar. 24, 2020). The complaint, as supplemented, alleges 
violations of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended, 19 
U.S.C. 1337, in the importation into the United States, the sale for 
importation, or the sale within the United States after importation of 
certain high-density fiber optic equipment and components thereof by 
reason of infringement of certain claims of U.S. Patent Nos.: 
9,020,320; 8,712,206; 10,120,153; 10,094,996; and 10,444,456. Id. The 
complaint further alleges that a domestic industry exists. Id. The 
Commission's notice of investigation named thirteen respondents 
including AFL Holdings of Duncan, South Carolina. Id. The notice of 
investigation also names the Office of Unfair Import Investigations as 
a party. Id. at 16654.
    On June 1, 2020, Corning filed a motion to amend the complaint and 
notice of investigation to add proposed respondent AFL 
Telecommunications and to terminate respondent AFL Holdings. The motion 
notes that AFL Telecommunications is a related corporate entity of AFL 
Holdings, and that termination of AFL Holdings is appropriate because 
AFL Telecommunications is the operating entity engaged in importation 
and sales potentially relevant to this investigation. Order No. 9 at 1-
2 (June 19, 2020). No response was filed.
    On June 19, 2020, the ALJ issued the subject ID granting the 
unopposed motion to amend. Id. at 3. The ID notes that the motion 
complies with Commission Rules 210.14 and 210.21, 19 CFR 210.14 and 
210.21. See id. at 1-3. The ID concludes that ``good cause exists to 
amend the amended complaint and notice of investigation to conform to 
the correct information.'' Id. at 3. No petitions for review were 
filed.
    The Commission has determined not to review the subject ID. The 
complaint and notice of investigation have been amended to add 
respondent AFL Telecommunications and to terminate respondent AFL 
Holdings.
    While temporary remote operating procedures are in place in 
response to COVID-19, the Office of the Secretary is not able to serve 
parties that have not retained counsel or otherwise provided a point of 
contact for electronic service. Accordingly, pursuant to Commission 
Rules 201.16(a) and 210.7(a)(1) (19 CFR 201.16(a), 210.7(a)(1)), the 
Commission orders that the Complainant complete service for any party 
without a method of electronic service noted on the attached 
Certificate of Service and shall file proof of service on the 
Electronic Document Information System (EDIS).
    The Commission vote for this determination took place on July 20, 
2020.
    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: July 20, 2020.
Lisa Barton,
Secretary to the Commission.
[FR Doc. 2020-16029 Filed 7-23-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7020-02-P