July 6, 2011
News Release 11-076
Inv. No. 337-TA-784
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819
USITC INSTITUTES SECTION 337 INVESTIGATION
ON CERTAIN LIGHT-EMITTING DIODES AND PRODUCTS CONTAINING THE SAME
The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) has voted to institute an investigation of certain light emitting diodes and products containing the same. The products at issue in this investigation are light-emitting diodes and products which incorporate them such as liquid crystal displays.
The investigation is based on a complaint filed by OSRAM GmbH of Germany on June 3, 2011. The complaint alleges violations of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 in the importation into the United States and sale of certain light emitting diodes and products containing the same that infringe patents asserted by OSRAM. The complainant requests that the USITC issue an exclusion order and a cease and desist order. The Commission has decided to consolidate part of the investigation based on this complaint with an investigation based on a second complaint filed by OSRAM.
The USITC has identified the following as respondents in this investigation:
LG Electronics, Inc., of South Korea;
LG Innotek Co., Ltd., of South Korea;
LG Electronics U.S.A., Inc., of Englewood Cliffs, NJ; and
LG Innotek U.S.A., Inc., of San Diego, CA.
By instituting this investigation (337-TA-784), the USITC has not yet made any decision on the merits of the case. The USITC's Chief Administrative Law Judge will assign the case to one of the USITC's six administrative law judges (ALJ), who will schedule and hold an evidentiary hearing. The ALJ will make an initial determination as to whether there is a violation of section 337; that initial determination is subject to review by the Commission.
The USITC will make a final determination in the investigation at the earliest practicable time. Within 45 days after institution of the investigation, the USITC will set a target date for completing the investigation. USITC remedial orders in section 337 cases are effective when issued and become final 60 days after issuance unless disapproved for policy reasons by the U.S. Trade Representative within that 60-day period.