April 11, 2012
News Release 12-036
Inv. No(s). 337-TA-837
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819
USITC Institutes Section 337 Investigation on Certain Audiovisual Components and Products Containing The Same

The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) has voted to institute an investigation of certain audiovisual components and products containing the same. The products at issue in this investigation are Wi-Fi components, multimedia processing components, digital televisions (DTVs), Blu-ray players, DVD players/recorders, DTV/DVD combinations, DTV/Blu-ray combinations, multimedia streaming players, home theater systems, etc.

The investigation is based on a complaint filed by LSI Corporation of Milpitas, CA, and Agere Systems Inc. of Allentown, PA, on March 12, 2012. An amended complaint was filed on March 28, 2012. The complaint, as amended, alleges violations of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 in the importation into the United States and sale of certain audiovisual components and products containing the same that infringe patents asserted by the complainants. The complainants request that the USITC issue an exclusion order and cease and desist orders.

The USITC has identified the following as respondents in this investigation:

Funai Electric Company, Ltd., of Japan;
Funai Corporation, Inc., of Rutherford, NJ;
P&F USA, Inc., of Alpharetta, GA;
Funai Service Corporation of Groveport, OH;
MediaTek Inc. of Taiwan;
MediaTek USA Inc. of San Jose, CA;
MediaTek Wireless, Inc. (USA), of Woburn, MA;
Ralink Technology Corporation of Taiwan;
Ralink Technology Corporation (USA) of Cupertino, CA; and
Realtek Semiconductor Corporation of Taiwan.

By instituting this investigation (337-TA-837), 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.

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