[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 59 (Tuesday, March 28, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18332-18333]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-06335]


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INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION

[Investigation No. 337-TA-1300]


Certain Mobile Phones, Tablet Computers, Smart Watches, Smart 
Speakers, and Digital Media Players, and Products Containing Same; 
Commission Determination Not To Review an Initial Determination 
Terminating the Investigation Based on Settlement and To Vacate as Moot 
an Initial Determination Granting Summary Determination That the 
Economic Prong of the Domestic Industry Requirement Is Satisfied; 
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 not to review an initial determination 
(``ID'') (Order No. 34) of the presiding Administrative Law Judge 
(``ALJ'') terminating the investigation based on settlement. In 
addition, the Commission has determined to vacate as moot an ID (Order 
No. 29) granting summary determination that the economic prong of the 
domestic industry requirement is satisfied. The investigation is 
terminated.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Houda Morad, Office of the General 
Counsel, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW, 
Washington, DC 20436, telephone (202) 708-4716. 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: On February 24, 2022, the Commission 
instituted this investigation under section 337 of the Tariff Act of 
1930, as amended, 19 U.S.C. 1337 (``section 337''), based on a 
complaint filed by Ericsson Inc. of Plano, Texas, and 
Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson of Stockholm, Sweden (collectively, 
``Ericsson''). See 87 FR 10385-86 (Feb. 24, 2022). The complaint, as 
supplemented, alleges a violation of

[[Page 18333]]

section 337 based upon the importation into the United States, the sale 
for importation, and the sale within the United States after 
importation of certain mobile phones, tablet computers, smart watches, 
smart speakers, and digital media players, and products containing same 
by reason of infringement of certain claims of U.S. Patent Nos. 
7,151,430 (``the '430 patent''); 9,509,273 (``the '273 patent''); 
9,853,621 (``the '621 patent''); 7,957,770 (``the '770 patent''); and 
9,705,400 (``the '400 patent'') (collectively, ``Asserted Patents''). 
See id. The notice of investigation names Apple, Inc. (``Apple'') of 
Cupertino, California, as the respondent in the investigation. See id. 
The Office of Unfair Import Investigations (``OUII'') is also a party 
to the investigation. See id.
    On December 16, 2022, the Commission partially terminated the 
investigation as to: (1) all asserted claims of the '400 patent; (2) 
all asserted claims of the '621 patent; (3) claims 11 and 12 of the 
'430 patent; (4) claims 1 and 7 of the '273 patent; and (5) claims 4, 
8-10, 12, 15, and 16 of the '770 patent based on withdrawal of the 
complaint as to those patents and claims. See Order No. 25 (Nov. 21, 
2022), unreviewed by Comm'n Notice (Dec. 16, 2022).
    On July 26, 2022, Ericsson filed a motion for summary determination 
that the economic prong of the domestic industry requirement is 
satisfied for each of the Asserted Patents (``Ericsson's SD Motion''). 
On August 4, 2022, Apple filed a response to Ericsson's SD Motion 
stating that Apple does not dispute Ericsson's SD Motion to the extent 
it relates to the economic prong of the domestic industry requirement 
but that Apple disputes that Ericsson has satisfied the technical prong 
of the domestic industry requirement.
    On November 30, 2022, the ALJ issued an ID (Order No. 29) granting 
summary determination that Ericsson satisfies the economic prong of the 
domestic industry requirement. On March 2, 2023, the Commission issued 
a notice extending until March 24, 2023, the deadline for determining 
whether to review the ID (Order No. 29).
    On February 6, 2023, Ericsson and Apple jointly moved to terminate 
the investigation in its entirety based on settlement. On February 7, 
2023, OUII filed a response in support of the joint motion.
    On February 22, 2023, the ALJ issued an ID (Order No. 34) granting 
the joint motion to terminate the investigation. The ID finds that the 
joint motion complies with Commission Rule 210.21(b)(1), 19 CFR 
210.21(b)(1). See ID at 3. Specifically, the ID notes that the joint 
motion includes confidential and public copies of the settlement 
agreement. See id. In addition, the motion states that ``[t]here are no 
other agreements, written or oral, express or implied between the 
Ericsson and Apple concerning the subject matter of this 
Investigation.'' See id. Furthermore, in accordance with Commission 
Rule 210.50(b)(2), 19 CFR 210.50(b)(2), the ID finds that ``terminating 
this Investigation is in the public interest and will conserve public 
and private resources.'' See id.
    No petitions for review of the subject IDs (Order Nos. 29 and 34) 
were filed.
    The Commission has determined not to review the ID terminating the 
investigation based on settlement (Order No. 34). In addition, the 
Commission has determined to vacate as moot the ID (Order No. 29) 
granting summary determination that the economic prong of the domestic 
industry requirement is satisfied. The investigation is terminated.
    The Commission's vote for these determinations took place on March 
22, 2023.
    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: March 22, 2023.
Lisa R. Barton,
Secretary to the Commission.
[FR Doc. 2023-06335 Filed 3-27-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7020-02-P