October 5, 2010
News Release 10-111
Inv. No(s). 337-TA-739
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819
USITC Institutes Section 337 Investigation on Certain Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters and Products Containing Same

The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) has voted to institute an investigation of certain ground fault circuit interrupters and products containing same. The products at issue in this investigation are designed to interrupt the flow of electric current through an electrical receptacle upon detection of any imbalance in the current passing through the device, thus preventing possible shock or electrocution.

The investigation is based on a complaint filed by Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc., of Melville, NY, on September 3, 2010. The complaint alleges violations of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 in the importation into the United States and sale of certain ground fault circuit interrupters and products containing same that infringe patents asserted by Leviton. The complainant requests that the USITC issue an exclusion order and cease and desist orders.

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

  • Fujian Hongan Electric Co., Ltd., of China;

  • General Protecht Group, Inc., of China;

  • Shanghai ELE Manufacturing Corporation of China;

  • Zhejiang Trimone Co. Ltd. of China;

  • Zhejiang Easting House Electric Co. of China;

  • Menard, Inc. of Eau Claire, WI;

  • Garvin Industries, Inc. of Franklin Park, IL;

  • Central Purchasing, LLC of Camarillo, CA;

  • Harbor Freight Tools USA, Inc. of Camarillo, CA;

  • Warehouse-Lighting.com LLC of Muskego, WI;

  • SecurElectric Corporation of St. Louis, MO;

  • G-Techt Global Corporation of Atlanta, GA;

  • Frontier Lighting, Inc., of Clearwater, FL;

  • The Designers Edge, Inc., of Bellevue, WA;

  • Orbit Industries, Inc., of Los Angeles, CA;

  • Ready Wholesale Electric and Lighting, Inc., of Reseda, CA;

  • Sutherland Lumber Company of Kansas City, MO;

  • W. E. Aubuchon Co., Inc., d/b/a Aubuchon Hardware, of Westminster, MA;

  • Westside Wholesale Electric and Lighting, Inc. of Los Angeles, CA;

  • Deerso, Inc. of Cape Coral, FL;

  • New Aspen Devices Corp. of Brooklyn, NY;

  • American Ace Supply Inc. of San Francisco, CA;

  • Safety Plus Products, Inc. of McFarland, WI;

  • Ingram Products, Inc. of Jacksonville, FL;

  • American Electric Depot Inc. of Fresh Meadows, NY;

  • Contractor Lighting & Supply, Inc., of Columbus, OH;

  • Royal Pacific Ltd. of Albuquerque, NM;

  • Littman Bros. Energy Supplies, Inc., of Schaumberg, IL; and

  • Norcross Electric Supply Company of Suwanee, GA.

By instituting this investigation (337-TA-739), 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.

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