December 29, 2010
News Release 10-141
Inv. No. 337-TA-754
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819

The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) has voted to institute an investigation of certain handbags, luggage, accessories, and packaging thereof. The products at issue in this investigation are handbags, luggage, accessories, and related packaging that bear certain monogram designs.

The investigation is based on an amended complaint filed by Louis Vuitton Malletier S.A. of France and Louis Vuitton U.S. Manufacturing Inc. of San Dimas, CA, on December 10, 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 handbags, luggage, accessories, and packaging thereof that infringe registered trademarks owned by complainant Louis Vuitton Malletier S.A. 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:

T &T Handbag Industrial Co., Ltd., of China;
Sanjiu Leather Co., Ltd. of China;
Meada Corporation (d/b/a Diophy International) of El Monte, CA;
Pacpro, Inc., of El Monte, CA;
Jianyong Zheng (a/k/a Jiu Gao Zheng, Jiu An Zheng, Jian Y ong Zheng, Peter Zheng) of Arcadia, CA;
Alice Bei Wang (a/k/a Alice B. Wang) of Arcadia, CA;
Trendy Creations, Inc., of Chatsworth, CA;
The Inspired Bagger of Endicott Lane, Dallas, TX;
House of Bags of Los Angeles, CA;
Ronett Trading, Inc. (d/b/a Ronett Wholesale & Import) of New York, NY;
EZ Shine Group, Inc. of New York, NY;
Master of Handbags of Los Angeles, CA;
Choicehandbag.com, Inc. (d/b/a Choice Handbags) of Los Angeles, CA; and
Rasul Enterprises, LLC (d/b/a The Handbag Warehouse) of Dallas, TX.

By instituting this investigation (337-TA-754), 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.