News Release 17-107
Inv. No(s). 337-TA-1064
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819
The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) has voted to institute an investigation of certain shielded electrical ribbon cables and products containing the same. The products at issue in the investigation are shielded electrical ribbon cables that can effectively transmit electromagnetic signals at high speeds and products containing those cables, such as data servers.
The investigation is based on a complaint filed by 3M Company and 3M Innovative Properties Company, both of St. Paul, MN, on June 30, 2017. The complaint alleges violations of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 in the importation into the United States and sale of certain shielded electrical ribbon cables and products containing the same that infringe patents asserted by the complainants. The complainants request that the USITC issue a general exclusion order, or in the alternative a limited exclusion order, and a cease and desist order.
The USITC has identified the following as respondents in this investigation:
Amphenol Corporation of Wallingford, CT;Amphenol Interconnect Products Corporation of Endicott, NY;
Amphenol Cables on Demand Corporation of Endicott, NY;
Amphenol Assemble Technology (Xiamen) Co., Ltd., of Xiamen, Fujian, China;
Amphenol (Xiamen) High Speed Cable Co., Ltd., of Xiamen, Fujian, China; and
Amphenol East Asia Limited (Taiwan) of Taoyuan County, Taiwan.
By instituting this investigation (337-TA-1064), 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.