[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 150 (Monday, August 9, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 43564-43566]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-16897]


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INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION

[Investigation No. 337-TA-1194]


Certain High-Density Fiber Optic Equipment and Components 
Thereof; Commission's Final Determination Finding a Violation of 
Section 337; 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 found a violation of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 
1930, as amended, in this investigation and has issued a general 
exclusion order prohibiting the importation of infringing high-density 
fiber optic equipment and components thereof and cease and desist 
orders directed against Respondents Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc. 
(``Leviton''), Panduit Corporation (``Panduit''), and FS.com Inc. 
(``FS'').

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, alleged 
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 
(``the '320 patent''); 10,120,153 (``the '153 patent''); 8,712,206 
(``the '206 patent''); 10,094,996 (``the '996 patent''); and 10,444,456 
(``the '456 patent''). Id. The complaint further alleged that a 
domestic industry exists. Id. The Commission's notice of investigation 
named the following as respondents: Total Cable Solutions, Inc. 
(``TCS'') of Springboro, Ohio; Legrand North America, LLC (``Legrand'') 
of West Hartford, Connecticut; AFL Telecommunications Holdings LLC 
(``AFL Holdings'') of Duncan, South Carolina; Huber+Suhner AG of 
Herisau, Switzerland; Huber + Suhner, Inc. of Charlotte, North 
Carolina; Shenzhen Anfkom Telecom Co., Ltd. d/b/a Anfkom Telecom 
(``Anfkom'') of Shenzhen, China; Shanghai TARLUZ Telecom Tech. Co., 
Ltd. d/b/a TARLUZ (``TARLUZ'') of Shanghai, China; Wulei Technology 
Co., Ltd. d/b/a Bonelinks (``Wulei Bonelinks'') of Shenzhen, China; FS 
of New Castle, Delaware; Leviton of Melville, New York; Panduit of 
Tinley, Illinois; The LAN Wirewerks Research Laboratories Inc. d/b/a 
Wirewerks (``Wirewerks'') of Quebec, Canada; and The Siemon Company 
(``Siemon'') of Watertown, Connecticut. Id. The notice of investigation 
also named the Office of Unfair Import Investigations (``OUII'') as a 
party. Id. at 16654.
    Respondent Legrand was terminated from the investigation based on 
withdrawal of the allegations in the complaint pursuant to Commission 
Rule 210.21(a), 19 CFR 210.21(a). See Order No. 5 (Apr. 16, 2020); 
unreviewed by Comm'n Notice (May 7, 2020). The complaint and notice of 
investigation were amended to substitute AFL Telecommunications LLC for 
respondent AFL Holdings. 85 FR 44923 (July 24, 2020). Thereafter, 
Respondent AFL Telecommunications LLC was terminated from the 
investigation based on a settlement agreement. See Order No. 27 (Oct. 
20, 2020), unreviewed by Comm'n Notice (Nov. 2, 2020). Respondents 
Huber+Suhner AG, Huber + Suhner, Inc., Anfkom, TARLUZ, and Wulei 
Bonelinks (collectively, ``Defaulting Respondents'') were found in 
default pursuant to Commission Rule 210.16, 19 CFR 210.16. See Order 
Nos. 7 & 8 (June 9, 2020), unreviewed by Comm'n Notice (June 22, 2020); 
Order No. 13 (Aug. 21, 2020), unreviewed by Comm'n Notice (Sep. 15, 
2020). Respondent TCS was terminated from the investigation based on a 
consent order. See Comm'n Notice (Sept. 28, 2020). Accordingly, 
Respondents Panduit, Leviton, Siemon, FS, and Wirewerks (collectively, 
``Active

[[Page 43565]]

Respondents'') remain active in the investigation.
    As a result of termination of all asserted claims of the '996 
patent and certain other asserted claims, see Order No. 11 (July 29, 
2020), unreviewed by Comm'n Notice (Aug. 13, 2020); Order No. 18 (Sept. 
14, 2020), unreviewed by Comm'n Notice (Oct. 14, 2020); and Order No. 
19 (Oct. 2, 2020), unreviewed by Comm'n Notice (Oct. 27, 2020), claims 
1 and 3 of the '320 patent; claims 11, 12, 14-16, 19, 21, 27, and 28 of 
the '456 patent; claims 9, 16, 23, and 26 of the '153 patent; and 
claims 22 and 23 of the '206 patent remain asserted in the 
investigation.
    A prehearing conference and evidentiary hearing were held in this 
investigation from October 21-26, 2020.
    On March 23, 2021, the administrative law judge (``ALJ'') issued a 
final initial determination (``ID''), finding a violation of section 
337 with respect to claims 1 and 3 of the '320 patent; claims 11, 12, 
14-16, 19, 21, 27, and 28 of the '456 patent; claims 9, 16, 23, and 26 
of the '153 patent; and claims 22 and 23 of the '206 patent. The ALJ 
also issued a Recommended Determination on Remedy and Bonding (``RD''). 
The RD recommends that should the Commission find a violation of 
section 337, that the Commission issue a general exclusion order, cease 
and desist orders, and impose a bond during the period of Presidential 
review.
    On April 5, 2021, OUII and Respondent Leviton each filed a petition 
for review of the ID. That same day, Respondents FS, Panduit, 
Wirewerks, and Siemon (collectively, ``Joint Respondents'') also filed 
a joint petition for review. On April 13, 2021, OUII, Leviton, and 
Corning each filed a response to the petitions.
    On May 24, 2021, the Commission determined to review the ID in 
part. Notice at 3-6 (May 24, 2021) (``Notice of Review''), published at 
86 FR 28890-893 (May 28, 2021). Specifically, the Commission determined 
to review: (1) The ID's finding that the importation requirement of 
section 337 is met with respect to the accused products of Respondents 
Leviton, Panduit, and Siemon; (2) the ID's interpretation of the 
``width of the front side of [the] fiber optic module'' limitation in 
the asserted claims of the '456 patent, and the associated infringement 
findings; (3) the ID's construction of ``a front opening'' in the 
asserted claims of the '206 patent, and the associated infringement 
findings; (4) the ID's finding that Leviton directly infringes the 
asserted claims of the '320 and '456 patents; (5) the ID's findings on 
indirect infringement of the asserted claims of the '320, '456, and/or 
'153 patents by Respondents Leviton, Panduit, FS, and Siemon; and (6) 
the ID's finding that Corning has satisfied the economic prong of the 
domestic industry requirement under section 337(a)(3)(B) and (C). The 
Commission solicited briefing on remedy, the public interest, and 
bonding, as well as on specific issues concerning importation, 
infringement, and the domestic industry requirement.
    On June 7, 2021, the parties filed initial submissions in response 
to the Commission's Notice of Review. On June 14, 2021, the parties 
filed replies to each other's submissions. In addition, the Commission 
received comments from the parties on the public interest pursuant to 
Commission Rule 210.50(a)(4), 19 CFR 210.50(a)(4). The Commission also 
received comments from Defaulting Respondents Huber+Suhner AG and Huber 
+ Suhner, Inc. in response to the Commission's notice soliciting public 
interest comments, 86 FR 22067-68 (Apr. 26, 2021).
    Having reviewed the record of the investigation, including the 
final ID and the parties' submissions, the Commission has found a 
violation of section 337 as to claims 1 and 3 of the '320 patent; 
claims 11, 12, 14-16, 19, 21, 27, and 28 of the '456 patent; claims 9, 
16, 23, and 26 of the '153 patent; and claims 22 and 23 of the '206 
patent. Specifically, the Commission affirms with modifications the 
ID's finding that Respondents Leviton, Panduit, and Siemon satisfy the 
importation requirement. FS and Wirewerks did not contest importation 
before the ALJ. With regard to claim construction, the Commission 
determines to: (1) Adopt OUII's proposed construction for the ``width 
of the front side of [the] fiber optic module'' limitation in claims 12 
and 28 of the '456 patent and find that the accused products meet this 
limitation under the proper construction; and (2) adopt Corning's 
proposed construction for the ``front opening'' limitation in the 
asserted claims of the '206 patent and find that the accused products 
meet this limitation under the proper construction. The Commission 
affirms with modifications the ID's finding that the imported 
article(s) of Respondents Panduit, Siemon, and FS are respectively used 
by their customers to directly infringe the asserted claims of the 
'320, '456, and '153 patents at their inducement, and the imported 
articles of Respondent Leviton are used by its customers to directly 
infringe the asserted claims of the '320 and '456 patents at Leviton's 
inducement. Further, the Commission affirms the ID's finding of no 
contributory infringement by Respondents Leviton, Panduit, and Siemon, 
and takes no position on the ID's finding of no contributory 
infringement by FS. Still further, the Commission takes no position on 
the ID's finding that Leviton directly infringes the asserted claims of 
the '320 and '456 patents. Finally, the Commission affirms with 
modifications the ID's finding that Corning has satisfied the economic 
prong of the domestic industry requirement under section 337(a)(3).
    The Commission has determined that the appropriate remedy is: (1) A 
general exclusion order prohibiting the entry of infringing high-
density fiber optic equipment and components thereof; and (2) cease and 
desist orders directed to Respondents Leviton, Panduit, and FS. The 
Commission has determined that the public interest factors do not 
preclude issuance of the general exclusion order or the cease and 
desist orders. The Commission has determined that a bond as set forth 
in the orders is required during the period of Presidential review. 19 
U.S.C. 1337(j)(3).
    The investigation is terminated. The Commission's reasoning in 
support of its determinations is set forth more fully in its opinion. 
The Commission's orders and opinion were delivered to the President and 
the United States Trade Representative on the day of their issuance.
    The Commission vote for this determination took place on August 3, 
2021.
    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.
    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/
parties 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).

    By order of the Commission.


[[Page 43566]]


    Issued: August 3, 2021.
Lisa Barton,
Secretary to the Commission.
[FR Doc. 2021-16897 Filed 8-6-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7020-02-P