October 6, 2014
News Release 14-100
Inv. No. 337-TA-932
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819
USITC INSTITUTES SECTION 337 INVESTIGATION
OF CERTAIN CONSUMER ELECTRONICS AND DISPLAY DEVICES
WITH GRAPHICS PROCESSING AND GRAPHICS PROCESSING UNITS THEREIN
The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) has voted to institute an investigation of certain consumer electronics and display devices with graphics processing and graphics processing units therein. The products at issue in this investigation are mobile phones, tablet computers and certain processors contained in those devices.
The investigation is based on a complaint filed by NVIDIA Corporation of Santa Clara, CA, on September 4, 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 consumer electronics and display devices with graphics processing and graphics processing units therein that infringe patents asserted by the complainant. The complainant requests that the USITC issue an exclusion order and a cease and desist order.
The USITC has identified the following as respondents in this investigation:
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., of Seoul, Republic of Korea;
Samsung Electronics America, Inc., of Ridgefield Park, NJ;
Samsung Telecommunications America, LLC, of Richardson, TX;
Samsung Semiconductor, Inc., San Jose, CA; and
Qualcomm, Inc., of San Diego, CA.
By instituting this investigation (337-TA-932), 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.