The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) has voted to institute an investigation of certain quartz slabs and portions thereof (II).  The products at issue in the investigation are quartz slabs to be used, for example, as countertops.

The investigation is based on a complaint filed by Cambria Company LLC of Belle Plaine, MN, on July 11, 2016.  The complaint alleges violations of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 in the importation into the United States and sale of certain quartz slabs and portions thereof (II) that infringe patents asserted by the complainant.  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:

Stylen Quaza LLC DBA Vicostone USA of Dallas, TX;
Vicostone Joint Stock Company of Hanoi, Vietnam;
Building Plastics Inc. of Memphis, TN;
Fasa Industrial Corporation, Ltd., of Foshan, Guangdong Province, China;
Foshan FASA Building Material Co., Ltd., of Foshan, Guangdong Province, China;
Solidtops LLC of Oxford, MD;
Dorado Soapstone LLC of Denver, CO; and
Pental Granite and Marble Inc. of Seattle, WA.

By instituting this investigation (337-TA-1017), 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.