An administrative law judge recommended an import ban on rubber “tackifier” resins that infringe trade secrets held by the SI Group, after finding violations of Section 337 in an International Trade Commission investigation. The judge recommended a 10-year ban on infringing imports, as well as certifications to CBP from importers of similar but non-infringing rubber resins. The case now goes before the full commission, which will vote on whether to adopt the recommended import ban. According to SI Group, that will happen in November.

The International Trade Commission published a notice in the Aug. 19 Federal Register on the following AD/CV injury, Section 337 patent, and other trade proceedings (any notices that warrant a more detailed summary will appear in another ITT article):

The International Trade Commission is asking for comments by Aug. 28 on Toyo Tires’ request for a ban on imports of tires it alleges infringe its design patents on tread patterns. Toyo requested the Section 337 investigation on Aug. 14 (see 13081601). It says 22 companies are either manufacturing, importing, or selling the infringing tires in the U.S. Foreign tire manufacturers identified in the petition include Shandong Yongtai, Doublestar Tire, Tri-Ace, South China Tire, Guangzhou SCT, Shandong Linglong, and Weifang, all of China, as well as Svizz-One of Thailand.

The International Trade Commission is considering a ban on imports of computer peripherals like memory card readers that infringe patents held by Technology Properties Limited, it said Aug. 16. An ITC administrative law judge recommended on Aug. 2 limited exclusion orders and cease and desist orders against infringing product. The ITC began the Section 337 investigation in April 2012 (see 12042726). Respondents to the investigation include Acer, Brother, Canon, Dell, Fujitsu, HP, and Samsung, among others. Comments are due Sept. 4.

The International Trade Commission is publishing a notice in the Aug. 19 Federal Register on the following AD/CV injury, Section 337 patent, and other trade proceedings (any notices that warrant a more detailed summary will appear in another ITT article):

The Commerce Department will consider creating an exception from antidumping and countervailing duties for a type of rectangular wire, in a changed circumstances review of the AD/CVD orders on aluminum extrusions from China (A-570-967 / C-570-968). U.S. importer 3M Company requested the review, and two associations of domestic manufacturers sent letters to Commerce saying they don’t oppose the partial revocation. "Substantially all" domestic producers, or 85 percent, must support ending AD/CVD coverage of a product for the agency to partially revoke.

The International Trade Commission is publishing a notice in the Aug. 16 Federal Register on the following AD/CV injury, Section 337 patent, and other trade proceedings (any notices that warrant a more detailed summary will appear in another ITT article):

Toyo Tires requested import bans on imports of tires it alleges infringe its design patents on tread patterns, in a Section 337 complaint filed Aug. 14 with the International Trade Commission. According to the complaint, 22 companies are either manufacturing, importing, or selling the infringing tires in the U.S. Toyo says tires made by Shandong Yongtai, Doublestar Tire, Tri-Ace, South China Tire, Guangzhou SCT, Shandong Linglong, and Weifang, all of China, as infringing its tread design patents. Svizz-One of Thailand also makes infringing tires, Toyo said. The complaint also identifies 14 U.S. companies that import and/or distribute the tires. Toyo is requesting limited exclusion orders and cease and desist orders against importation and sale by each respondent.

The Commerce Department published notices in the Aug. 16 Federal Register on the following AD/CV duty proceedings (any notices that announce changes to AD/CV duty rates, scope, affected firms, or effective dates will be detailed in another ITT article):

The Commerce Department issued the final results of the antidumping duty administrative review on polyethylene retail carrier bags from Thailand (A-549-821). The agency made no changes from its preliminary results, continuing to find Trinity Pac didn't cooperate in the review. It also found TPN FlexPak had no shipments during the review period, so entries from that company will continue to enter at the rate set in previous reviews. The new rates are effective Aug. 19, and will be implemented by CBP soon.