October 12, 2010
News Release 10-113
Inv. No(s). 337-TA-741
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819
USITC Institutes Section 337 Investigation on Certain Liquid Crystal Display Devices, Including Monitors, Televisions, and Modules, and Components Thereof

The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) has voted to institute an investigation of certain liquid crystal display devices, including monitors, televisions, and modules, and components thereof. The products at issue in this investigation are LCD devices, such as televisions, computer monitors, modules, and panels, and components thereof, such as LCD controllers.

The investigation is based on a complaint filed by Thomson Licensing SAS of France and Thomson Licensing LLC of Princeton, NJ, on August 27, 2010. An amended complaint was filed on September 16, 2010. The amended complaint alleges violations of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 in the importation into the United States and sale of certain liquid crystal display devices, including monitors, televisions, and modules, and components thereof that infringe patents asserted by Thomson Licensing. The complainants request that the USITC issue an exclusion order and cease and desist orders.

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

  • Chimei Innolux Corporation of Taiwan;

  • Innolux Corporation of Austin, TX;

  • Chi Mei Optoelectronics USA, Inc., of San Jose, CA;

  • MsStar Semiconductor, Inc., of Taiwan;

  • Qisda Corporation of Taiwan;

  • Qisda America Corporation of Irvine, CA;

  • Qisda (Suzhou) Co., Ltd., of China;

  • BenQ Corporation of Taiwan;

  • BenQ America Corp. of Irvine, CA;

  • BenQ Latin America of Miami, FL; and

  • Realtek Semiconductor Corporation of Taiwan.

By instituting this investigation (337-TA-741), 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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