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News Release 14-093
Inv. No(s). 332-540
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819
Digital trade -- domestic commerce and international trade conducted via the Internet -- has far-reaching effects on the U.S. economy that have fundamentally transformed many aspects of the ways businesses operate and interact with one another, reports the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) in its publication Digital Trade in the U.S. and Global Economies, Part 2.
The USITC, an independent, nonpartisan, factfinding federal agency, completed the report at the request of the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance.
As requested, Digital Trade in the U.S. and Global Economies, Part 2 provides information on the value of U.S. digital trade and the potential growth of this trade, and it provides insight into the broader linkages and contributions of digital trade to the U.S. economy. The report includes a survey of U.S. firms in industries particularly involved in digital trade (digitally intensive firms), examines the effects of notable barriers and impediments to digital trade, and presents case studies that examine the importance of digital trade to selected U.S. industries. Report highlights follow.
- The combined effects of enhanced productivity and lower international trade costs in digitally intensive industries due to digital trade likely resulted in an estimated $517.1 billion to $710.7 billion increase (a 3.4 percent to 4.8 percent increase) in U.S. gross domestic product (GDP). U.S. real wages were likely higher by 4.5 percent to 5.0 percent, and the effect on U.S. total employment ranged from no change to an increase of 2.4 million full-time equivalents (FTEs), depending on how workers and employers responded to rising wages. If the effects of enhanced productivity and lower trade costs in non-digitally intensive sectors were also quantified, the economy-wide estimates would likely be larger. [Read More]
- U.S. digitally intensive firms sold $935.2 billion in products and services and purchased $471.4 billion in products and services over the Internet. Most products and services firms sold or purchased online in 2012 were delivered physically or in person -- not digitally. [Read More]
- Online sales by digitally intensive small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) were $227.1 billion, or about one-fourth of total online sales, and online purchases by SMEs were $162.2 billion, or about one-third of total online purchases. Sales and purchases by both SMEs and large firms are more likely to have been delivered physically or in person than digitally delivered. [Read More]
- The Commission's survey of U.S. digitally intensive firms found that internal communications and online ordering of products and services are the leading ways firms use the Internet. [Read More]
- Survey estimates also showed that losing access to the Internet would reduce productivity by 15 percent or more for more than 40 percent of firms in digitally intensive industries. Business-to-business communications ranked as the largest contributor to the productivity benefits of the Internet; selling online products or services was tied with ordering online products or services as the second largest. [Read More]
- Online international trade is a relatively small component of U.S. exports and imports of both digitally and physically delivered products and services. Digitally intensive firms exported $222.9 billion and imported $106.2 billion in products and services ordered online in 2012. Most exports and imports ordered online are delivered physically or in person -- not digitally. [Read More]
- Localization requirements, market access limits, data privacy and protection requirements, intellectual property rights infringement, uncertain legal liability rules, and customs measures in other countries present obstacles to international digital trade by U.S. digitally intensive firms. According to survey results, the removal of foreign barriers to digital trade would boost U.S. sales abroad, although not all sectors would benefit equally. [Read More]
- The removal of foreign barriers to digital trade in digitally intensive industries would likely result in an estimated $16.7 billion to $41.4 billion increase (a 0.1 percent to 0.3 percent increase) in U.S. GDP. U.S. real wages would likely be 0.7 percent to 1.4 percent higher, and the effect on U.S. total employment would range from no change to an increase of 0.4 million FTEs. [Read More]
- The report features 10 case studies that highlight the importance of digital trade to selected U.S. businesses. They describe how Internet-based economic activity has created new or improved business opportunities, and sometimes disrupted older business models; how companies and consumers use the massive amounts of data currently available over the Internet to develop innovative products and services and to enhance productivity; and the impact of the Internet and international digital trade on global competitiveness, including from the perspective of SMEs. [Read More]
Digital Trade in the U.S. and Global Economies, Part 2 (Inv. No. 332-540, USITC publication 4485, August 2014) is available on the USITC's Internet site at http://www.usitc.gov/publications/332/pub4485.pdf.
The report is the second of two requested by the Committee. The first report, Digital Trade in the U.S. and Global Economies, Part 1, was delivered in July 2013. That report laid the groundwork for the second report by providing an overview of trends in U.S. digital trade, describing the ways digital trade facilitates trade in other sectors, and setting out potential approaches for estimating the economic impact of digital trade on the U.S. economy. The first report also examined available information on international digital trade, including notable barriers and impediments to such trade.
USITC general factfinding investigations, such as this one, cover matters related to tariffs or trade and are generally conducted at the request of the U.S. Trade Representative, the House Committee on Ways and Means, or the Senate Committee on Finance. The resulting reports convey the USITC's objective findings and independent analyses on the subject investigated. The USITC makes no recommendations on policy or other matters in its general factfinding reports. Upon completion of each investigation, the USITC submits its findings and analyses to the requester. General factfinding reports are subsequently released to the public, unless they are classified by the requester for national security reasons.
News Release 14-094
Inv. No(s). 337-TA-930
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819
The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) has voted to institute an investigation of certain laser abraded denim garments. The products at issue in this investigation are denim garments, including jeans and leggings, that have been abraded with a laser to apply designs or to simulate wear.
The investigation is based on a complaint filed by RevoLaze, LLC, and TechnoLines, LLC, both of Westlake, OH, on August 18, 2014. The complaint alleges violations of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 in the importation into the United States and sale of certain laser abraded denim garments that infringe patents asserted by the complainants. The complainants request that the USITC issue a general exclusion order, or in the alternative a limited exclusion order, and cease and desist orders.
The USITC has identified the following as respondents in this investigation:
Abercrombie & Fitch Co. of New Albany, OH;
American Eagle Outfitters, Inc., of Pittsburgh, PA;
BBC Apparel Group, LLC, of New York, NY;
Gotham Licensing Group, LLC, of New York, NY;
The Buckle, Inc., of Kearney, NE;
Buffalo International ULC of Montreal, Quebec, Canada;
1724982 Alberta ULC of Montreal, Quebec, Canada;
Diesel S.p.A. of Breganze (VI), Italy;
DL1961 Premium Denim Inc. of New York, NY;
Eddie Bauer LLC of Bellevue, WA;
The Gap, Inc., of San Francisco, CA;
Guess?, Inc., of Los Angeles, CA;
H&M Hennes & Mauritz AB of Stockholm, Sweden;
H&M Hennes & Mauritz LP of New York, NY;
Roberto Cavalli S.p.A. of Milan, Italy;
Koos Manufacturing, Inc., of South Gate, CA;
Levi Strauss & Co. of San Francisco, CA;
Lucky Brand Dungarees, Inc., of Los Angeles, CA;
Fashion Box S.p.A. of Asolo (Treviso), Italy; and
VF Corporation of Greensboro, NC.
By instituting this investigation (337-TA-930), 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 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.
News Release 14-096
Inv. No(s). 337-TA-931
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819
The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) has voted to institute an investigation of certain magnetic storage tapes and cartridges containing the same. The products at issue in this investigation are magnetic tapes used in archival or long-term data storage.
The investigation is based on a complaint filed by Advanced Research Corporation of White Bear Lake, MN, on August 22, 2014. The complaint alleges violations of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 in the importation into the United States and sale of certain magnetic storage tapes and cartridges containing the same that infringe patents asserted by the complainant. The complainant requests that the USITC issue an exclusion order and cease and desist orders.
The USITC has identified the following as respondents in this investigation:
International Business Machines Corp. of Armonk, NY;
Fujifilm Holdings Corporation of Tokyo, Japan;
Fujifilm Corporation of Tokyo, Japan; and
Oracle Corporation of Redwood Shores, CA.
By instituting this investigation (337-TA-931), 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 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.
News Release 14-078
Inv. No(s). 337-TA-923
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819
The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) has voted to institute an investigation of certain loom kits for creating linked articles. The products at issue in this investigation are children's hobby kits used to link together elastic bands to make articles such as bracelets.
The investigation is based on a complaint filed by Choon's Design Inc. of Wixom, MI, on July 1, 2014. The complaint alleges violations of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 in the importation into the United States and sale of certain loom kits for creating linked articles that infringe a patent asserted by Choon's Design. The complainant requests that the USITC issue a general exclusion order, or in the alternative a limited exclusion order, and cease and desist orders.
The USITC has identified the following as respondents in this investigation:
Wangying of Jinhua, Zhejiang, China;
Island In The Sun LLC of Little Rock, AR;
Quality Innovations Inc. of Irwindale, CA;
Yiwu Mengwang Craft & Art Factory of Yiwu City, Zhejiang, China;
Shenzhen Xuncent Technology Co., Ltd., of Shenzhen, Guangdong, China;
Altatac Inc. of Los Angeles, CA;
My Imports USA LLC of Edison, NJ;
Jayfinn LLC of Gilbert, AZ;
Creative Kidstuff, LLC, of Minneapolis, MN;
Hongkong Haoguan Plastic Hardware Co., Limited, of Shenzhen, Guangdong, China;
Blinkee.com, LLC, of Fairfax, CA;
Eyyup Arga of Lodi, NJ; and
Itcoolnomore of Jinhua, Zhejiang, China.
By instituting this investigation (337-TA-923), 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 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.
News Release 14-081
Inv. No(s). 337-TA-924
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819
The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) has voted to institute an investigation of certain light reflectors and components, packaging, and related advertising thereof. The products at issue in this investigation are light reflectors used in indoor and greenhouse gardening.
The investigation is based on a complaint filed by Sunlight Supply, Inc., of Vancouver, WA, and IP Holdings, LLC, of Vancouver, WA, on June 20, 2014. An amended complaint was filed on July 11, 2014. The amended complaint alleges violations of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 by reason of the importation into the United States and sale of certain light reflectors and components, packaging, and related advertising thereof that infringe patents and registered U.S. trademarks asserted by the complainants, and by reason of false advertising. The complainants request that the USITC issue a general exclusion order, or in the alternative a limited exclusion order, and cease and desist orders.
The USITC has identified the following as respondents in this investigation:
Sinowell (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., of Shanghai, China;
Sinohydro Ltd. of Hong Kong, China;
Groco Enterprises, LLC, of Bellevue, WA;
Good Nature Garden Supply of Sacramento, CA;
Aqua Serene, Inc., of Eugene, OR;
Aurora Innovations, Inc., of Eugene, OR;
Big Daddy Garden Supply, Inc., of Ukiah, CA;
Bizright, LLC, of City of Industry, CA;
The Hydro Source II, Inc., of Santa Fe Springs, CA;
Insun, LLC, of Bellevue, WA;
Lumz'N Blooms, Ltd. Corp. of Apopka, FL;
Parlux LP of Snohomish, WA;
Silversun, Inc., of Gig Harbor, WA; and
Zimbali Group, Inc., of Bellevue, WA.
By instituting this investigation (337-TA-923), 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 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.
News Release 14-082
Inv. No(s). 337-TA-925
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819
The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) has voted to institute an investigation of certain communications or computing devices and components thereof. The products at issue in this investigation include smartphones, tablet computers, media players, laptop computers, and other communication and computing-capable consumer electronic devices.
The investigation is based on a complaint filed by Enterprise Systems Technologies, S.a.r.l., of Luxembourg on July 16, 2014. The complaint alleges violations of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 in the importation into the United States and sale of certain communications or computing devices and components thereof that infringe patents asserted by the complainant. The complainant requests that the USITC issue a limited exclusion order and a cease and desist order.
The USITC has identified the following as respondents in this investigation:
Apple Inc. of Cupertino, CA;
Cirrus Logic Inc. of Austin, TX;
HTC Corporation of Taoyuan, Taiwan;
HTC America, Inc., of Bellevue, WA;
LG Electronics, Inc., of Seoul, Republic of Korea;
LG Electronics U.S.A., Inc., of Englewood Cliffs, NJ;
LG Electronics MobileComm U.S.A., Inc., of San Diego, CA;
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., of Seoul, Republic of Korea;
Samsung Electronics America, Inc., of Ridgefield Park, NJ;
Samsung Telecommunications America, L.L.C., of Richardson, TX.
By instituting this investigation (337-TA-925), 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 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.
News Release 14-084
Inv. No(s). 337-TA-926
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819
The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) has voted to institute an investigation of certain marine sonar imaging systems, products containing the same, and components thereof. The products at issue in this investigation are side-scan, sonar imaging systems-typically referred to as "fishfinders."
The investigation is based on a complaint filed by Johnson Outdoors Inc. of Racine, WI, and Johnson Outdoors Marine Electronics, Inc., of Eufaula, AL, on July 18, 2014. The complaint alleges violations of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 in the importation into the United States and sale of certain marine sonar imaging systems, products containing the same, and components thereof that infringe patents asserted by the complainants. The complainants request that the USITC issue a limited exclusion order and cease and desist orders.
The USITC has identified the following as respondents in this investigation:
Garmin International, Inc., of Olathe, KS;
Garmin North America, Inc., of Olathe, KS;
Garmin USA, Inc., of Olathe, KS; and
Garmin Corporation of New Taipei City, Taiwan.
By instituting this investigation (337-TA-926), 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 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.
News Release 14-087
Inv. No(s). 337-TA-927
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819
The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) has voted to institute an investigation of certain noise cancelling headphones and components thereof. The products at issue in this investigation are headphones for personal use with active noise-cancelling capabilities that are used to reduce unwanted ambient noise.
The investigation is based on a complaint filed by Bose Corporation of Framingham, MA, on July 25, 2014. The complaint alleges violations of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 in the importation into the United States and sale of certain noise cancelling headphones and components thereof that infringe patents asserted by Bose. The complainant requests that the USITC issue a limited exclusion order and cease and desist orders.
The USITC has identified the following as respondents in this investigation:
Beats Electronics, LLC, of Culver City, CA;
Beats Electronics International Ltd. of Dublin, Ireland;
Fugang Electronic (Dong Guan) Co., Ltd., of Dong-Guan, Guang Dong, China; and
PCH International Ltd. of Cork, Ireland.
By instituting this investigation (337-TA-927), 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 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.
News Release 14-088
Inv. No(s). 337-TA-928
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819
The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) has voted to institute an investigation of certain windshield wipers and components thereof. The products at issue in this investigation are windshield wipers and wiper blade couplers for connecting the windshield wipers to wiper arms.
The investigation is based on a complaint filed by Valeo North America, Inc., of Troy, MI, and Delmex de Juarez S. de R.L. de C.V. of Chihuahua, Mexico, on July 25, 2014. The complaint alleges violations of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 in the importation into the United States and sale of certain windshield wipers and components thereof that infringe patents asserted by the complainants. The complainants request that the USITC issue a limited exclusion order and a cease and desist order.
The USITC has identified the following as respondents in this investigation:
Federal-Mogul Corp. of Southfield, MI;
Federal-Mogul Vehicle Component Solutions, Inc., of Southfield, MI;
Federal-Mogul S.A. of Aubange, Belgium.
By instituting this investigation (337-TA-928), 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 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.
News Release 14-070
Inv. No(s). 337-TA-921
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819
The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) has voted to institute an investigation of certain marine sonar imaging devices, including downscan and sidescan devices, products containing the same, and components thereof. The products at issue in this investigation are marine sonar imaging devices, including devices to scan underwater at the sides of and beneath boats. These devices are commonly used as fishfinders, fishfinder/GPS combinations, chart plotters, marine multi-function displays, sonar modules and sonar transducers.
The investigation is based on a complaint filed by Navico, Inc., of Tulsa, OK, and Navico Holding AS of Egersund, Norway, on June 9, 2014. The complaint alleges violations of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 in the importation into the United States and sale of certain marine sonar imaging devices, including downscan and sidescan devices, and products containing the same, and components thereof, that infringe patents asserted by the complainants. The complainants request that the USITC issue a limited exclusion order and cease and desist orders.
The USITC has identified the following as respondents in this investigation:
Garmin International, Inc., of Olathe, KS;
Garmin North America, Inc., of Olathe, KS;
Garmin USA, Inc., of Olathe, KS; and
Garmin (Asia) Corporation of New Taipei City, Taiwan.
By instituting this investigation (337-TA-921), 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 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.