[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 75 (Wednesday, April 17, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27450-27452]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-08176]


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INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION

[Investigation No. 337-TA-1386]


Certain Self-Balancing Electric Skateboards and Components 
Thereof; Notice of a Commission Determination Not To Review an Initial 
Determination Finding the Only Remaining Respondent in Default; Request 
for Written Submissions on Remedy, the Public Interest, and Bonding

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 the presiding administrative 
law judge's (``ALJ'') initial determination (``ID'') (Order No. 15) 
finding the only remaining respondent Floatwheel of Guilin City, 
GuangXi Province, China (``Floatwheel'') in default. The Commission 
requests written submissions from the parties, interested government 
agencies, and other interested persons on the issues of remedy, the 
public interest, and bonding, under the schedule set forth below.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Liberman, Esq., Office of the 
General Counsel, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street, SW, 
Washington, DC 20436, telephone (202) 205-2737. 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, telephone (202) 205-1810.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On January 16, 2024, the Commission 
instituted this investigation based on a complaint filed by Future 
Motion, Inc. of Santa Cruz, California (``Complainant,'' or ``Future 
Motion''). 89 FR 2644-45 (Jan. 16, 2024). 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, or sale within the United States after 
importation of certain self-balancing electric skateboards and 
components thereof by reason of the infringement of one or more of 
claims 1, 2, 4-6, 8-10, 13-15, and 17-19 of U.S. Patent No. 9,400,505 
(``the '505 patent''). Id. at 2644. The Commission's notice of 
investigation named as respondents Floatwheel; Changzhou Smilo Motors 
Co., Ltd. of Changzhou, Jiangsu Province, China (''Smilo''); Changzhou 
Gaea Technology Co., Ltd. of Changzhou, Jiangsu, China (``Gaea''); and 
Shanghai Loyal Industry Co., Ltd., d/b/a ``SoverSky'' of Shanghai, 
China (``SoverSky'') (collectively, ``Respondents''). Id. at 2645. The 
Office of Unfair Import Investigations (``OUII'') was also named as a 
party in this investigation. Id.
    On March 12, 2024, Complainant moved to withdraw its complaint and 
terminate this investigation with respect to respondents Smilo, Gaea, 
and SoverSky. Motion Docket No. 1386-06 (EDIS Doc. ID 815981). On March 
13,

[[Page 27451]]

2024, the ALJ granted the unopposed motion. Order No. 13 (Mar. 13, 
2024); unreviewed by Notice (April 12, 2024).
    The complaint and notice of investigation were served on Floatwheel 
on January 17, 2024. See Order No. 8 at 5 (Feb. 6, 2024). Floatwheel 
failed to respond to the complaint and notice of investigation. On 
February 8, 2024, Complainant filed a motion for an order to show cause 
directing Floatwheel to demonstrate why it should not be found in 
default for failing to respond to the complaint and notice of 
investigation, or otherwise participate in the investigation.
    On February 23, 2024, the presiding ALJ issued Order No. 10, 
ordering, inter alia, Floatwheel to show why it should not be found in 
default and why judgment should not be rendered against it for failing 
to respond to the complaint and notice of investigation. No response 
was filed to the show cause order.
    On March 13, 2024, the ALJ issued the subject ID (Order No. 15) 
finding Floatwheel in default under Commission Rule 210.16 (19 CFR 
210.16).
    The ID further noted that because Floatwheel did not respond to the 
order to show cause, it had necessarily failed to make the requisite 
showing of good cause to avoid default. Id. at 2. In addition, the ID 
noted that Complainant filed proof of service of Order No. 10 on 
Floatwheel. Id. at 2 (citing Proof of Email Service of Order No. 10 
(EDIS Doc. ID 814868) (email to [email protected] with Order No. 
10 attached)). The ID also noted that Complainant's proof of service 
demonstrates that it served Order No. 10 on Floatwheel by email on 
February 23, 2024. Id. (citations omitted).
    The ID concluded that Floatwheel is in default under 19 CFR 210.16, 
and that Floatwheel therefore has no right to appear, to be served with 
documents, or to contest the allegations in this investigation. Id. 
(citing 19 CFR 210.16(b)(4)). No party petitioned for review of the ID.
    The Commission has determined not to review the subject ID. 
Floatwheel is hereby found in default.
    Section 337(g)(l) (35 U.S.C. 1337(g)(l)) and Commission Rule 
210.16(c) (19 CFR 210.16(c)) authorize the Commission to order relief 
against a respondent found in default, unless, after considering the 
public interest, it finds that such relief should not issue.
    In connection with the final disposition of this investigation, the 
statute authorizes the issuance of, inter alia, (1) an exclusion order 
that could result in the exclusion of the subject articles from entry 
into the United States, and/or (2) a cease and desist order that could 
result in the respondent being required to cease and desist from 
engaging in unfair acts in the importation and sale of such articles. 
Accordingly, the Commission is interested in receiving written 
submissions that address the form of remedy, if any, that should be 
ordered. If a party seeks exclusion of an article from entry into the 
United States for purposes other than entry for consumption, the party 
should so indicate and provide information establishing that activities 
involving other types of entry either are adversely affecting it or 
likely to do so. For background, see Certain Devices for Connecting 
Computers via Telephone Lines, Inv. No. 337-TA-360, USITC Pub. No. 2843 
Comm'n Op. at 7-10 (Dec. 1994).
    The statute requires the Commission to consider the effects of that 
remedy upon the public interest. The public interest factors the 
Commission will consider include the effect that an exclusion order 
and/or cease and desist order would have on (1) the public health and 
welfare, (2) competitive conditions in the U.S. economy, (3) U.S. 
production of articles that are like or directly competitive with those 
that are subject to investigation, and (4) U.S. consumers. The 
Commission is therefore interested in receiving written submissions 
that address the aforementioned public interest factors in the context 
of this investigation.
    If the Commission orders some form of remedy, the U.S. Trade 
Representative, as delegated by the President, has 60 days to approve, 
disapprove, or take no action on the Commission's determination. See 
Presidential Memorandum of July 21, 2005, 70 FR 43251 (July 26, 2005). 
During this period, the subject articles would be entitled to enter the 
United States under bond, in an amount determined by the Commission and 
prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury. The Commission is 
therefore interested in receiving submissions concerning the amount of 
the bond that should be imposed if a remedy is ordered.
    Written Submissions: Parties to the investigation, interested 
government agencies, and any other interested parties are encouraged to 
file written submissions on the issues of remedy, the public interest, 
and bonding.
    In its initial submission, Complainant is also requested to 
identify the remedy sought and Complainant and OUII are requested to 
submit proposed remedial orders for the Commission's consideration. 
Complainant is further requested to provide the HTSUS subheadings under 
which the accused products are imported, and to supply the 
identification information for all known importers of the subject 
articles. The initial written submissions and proposed remedial orders 
must be filed no later than close of business on April 29, 2024. Reply 
submissions must be filed no later than the close of business on May 6, 
2024. No further submissions on these issues will be permitted unless 
otherwise ordered by the Commission.
    Persons filing written submissions must file the original document 
electronically on or before the deadlines stated above. The 
Commission's paper filing requirements in 19 CFR 210.4(f) are currently 
waived. 85 FR 15798 (March 19, 2020). Submissions should refer to the 
investigation number (Inv. No. 337-TA-1386) in a prominent place on the 
cover page and/or the first page. (See Handbook for Electronic Filing 
Procedures, https://www.usitc.gov/documents/handbook_on_filing_procedures.pdf). Persons with questions regarding 
filing should contact the Secretary, (202) 205-2000.
    Any person desiring to submit a document to the Commission in 
confidence must request confidential treatment by marking each document 
with a header indicating that the document contains confidential 
information. This marking will be deemed to satisfy the request 
procedure set forth in Rules 201.6(b) and 210.5(e)(2) (19 CFR 201.6(b) 
& 210.5(e)(2)). Documents for which confidential treatment by the 
Commission is properly sought will be treated accordingly. Any non-
party wishing to submit comments containing confidential information 
must serve those comments on the parties to the investigation pursuant 
to the applicable Administrative Protective Order. A redacted non-
confidential version of the document must also be filed with the 
Commission and served on any parties to the investigation within two 
business days of any confidential filing. All information, including 
confidential business information and documents for which confidential 
treatment is properly sought, submitted to the Commission for purposes 
of this investigation may be disclosed to and used: (i) by the 
Commission, its employees and Offices, and contract personnel (a) for 
developing or maintaining the records of this or a related proceeding, 
or (b) in internal investigations, audits, reviews, and evaluations 
relating to the programs, personnel, and operations of the Commission 
including under 5 U.S.C. Appendix 3; or (ii) by U.S.

[[Page 27452]]

Government employees and contract personnel, solely for cybersecurity 
purposes. All contract personnel will sign appropriate nondisclosure 
agreements. All nonconfidential written submissions will be available 
for public inspection on EDIS.
    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(s) 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).
    The Commission vote for this determination took place on April 12, 
2024.
    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).

    Issuance of an exclusion order or a cease and desist order or 
both directed against the respondent.

    By order of the Commission.

    Issued: April 12, 2024.
Lisa Barton,
Secretary to the Commission.
[FR Doc. 2024-08176 Filed 4-16-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7020-02-P