April 19, 2011
News Release 11-037
Inv. No. 337-TA-769
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819

The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) has voted to institute an investigation of certain handheld electronic computing devices, related software, and components thereof. The products at issue in this investigation are handheld electronic computing devices, related software, and components thereof, including operating systems, user interfaces, and other application software designed for use on, and loaded onto, such devices.

The investigation is based on a complaint filed by Microsoft Corporation of Redmond, WA, on March 21, 2011, and amended on April 8, 2011. The complaint alleges violations of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 in the importation into the United States and sale of certain handheld electronic computing devices, related software, and components thereof that infringe patents asserted by Microsoft. The complainant requests that the USITC issue an exclusion order and a cease and desist orders.

The USITC has identified the following as respondents in this investigation:

Barnes & Noble, Inc., of New York, NY;
barnesandnoble.com LLC of New York, NY;
Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd., of Taiwan;
Foxconn Electronics, Inc., of Taiwan;
Foxconn Precision Component (Shenzhen) Co. Ltd. of China;
Foxconn International Holdings Ltd. of Hong Kong; and
Inventec Corporation of Taiwan.

By instituting this investigation (337-TA-769), 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 six 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.