The International Trade Commission found 16 respondents are violating Section 337 by importing and selling toner cartridges that infringe on Canon’s patents. The 16 companies had been found in default due to their lack of participation in the investigation, and are the only parties remaining active in the investigation. The ITC declined to review an administrative law judge’s judgment that they violated Section 337. The ALJ recommended a general exclusion order, and cease and desist orders against each domestic defaulting respondent. The judge also recommended a 100 percent bond during the period of Presidential review. The ITC is asking for comments by May 1 on public interest factors arising from the ALJ’s recommended relief.

The Commerce Department issued a Federal Register notice on its recently initiated antidumping investigation on diffusion-annealed, nickel-plated flat-rolled steel products from Japan (A-588-869). The agency will determine whether imports of silica bricks and shapes from China are being, or are likely to be, sold in the U.S. at less than fair value. A Commerce Department fact sheet said domestic petitioners alleged AD rates of 56.5 to 77.7 percent (see 13041801).

The International Trade Commission is publishing notices in the April 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):

5 Diamond Promotions’ flag pole sets fall within the scope of the antidumping and countervailing duty orders on aluminum extrusions from China (A-570-967/C-570-968), said the Commerce Department in a final scope ruling. According to Commerce, the sets don’t meet the finished goods kit exclusion because they’re not packaged to include all necessary parts for assembly. The flag pole parts are bundled with packages that contain the other necessary parts on importation, but the individual packages must be opened and the parts repackaged to contain a single full set for the consumer.

The Commerce Department published notices in the April 18 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 on April 17 initiated an antidumping duty investigation on diffusion-annealed, nickel-plated flat-rolled steel products from Japan (A-588-869). According to a fact sheet released by the agency, domestic petitioners are alleging AD rates of 56.5 to 77.7 percent (see 13032901 for summary of the March 27 petition, which alleged rates of 37.7 to 73.5%). Imports of subject merchandise totaled about $24,082,000 by value in 2012.

The International Trade Commission finalized changes to its Rules of Practice and Procedure concerning general application, adjudication, and enforcement in Section 337 patent investigations, adopting a July 2012 proposed rule with minor changes (see 12071129). The final rule amends the ITC’s regulations at 19 CFR 201 and 210 in order to change filing deadlines and requirements, and “address concerns that have arisen in Commission practice,” the commission said. The final rule is effective May 20.

The International Trade Commission is publishing notices in the April 17 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 published notices in the April 17 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 lightweight thermal paper from Germany (A-428-840). The agency made no changes from its preliminary results, continuing to find that Papierfabrik August Koehler AG did not cooperate in the review, and as a result assigning the company an adverse facts available (AFA) rate of 75.36 percent. The new rate is effective April 18, and will be implemented by CBP soon.