November 8, 2013
News Release 13-112
Inv. No. 337-TA-900
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819
USITC INSTITUTES SECTION 337 INVESTIGATION
OF CERTAIN NAVIGATION PRODUCTS, INCLUDING GPS DEVICES,
NAVIGATION AND DISPLAY SYSTEMS, RADAR SYSTEMS, NAVIGATIONAL AIDS,
MAPPING SYSTEMS, AND RELATED SOFTWARE
The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) has voted to institute an investigation of certain navigation products, including GPS devices, navigation and display systems, radar systems, navigational aids, mapping systems, and related software. The products at issue in this investigation include GPS and radar systems for aviation, marine, and on-road vehicle navigation.
The investigation is based on a complaint filed by Furuno Electric Co. Ltd. of Hyogo, Japan, and Furuno U.S.A., Inc., of Camas, WA, on September 23, 2013. The complaint alleges violations of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 in the importation into the United States and sale of certain navigation products, including GPS devices, navigation and display systems, radar systems, navigational aids, mapping systems, and related software that infringe patents asserted by the complainants. The complainants request that the USITC issue a limited exclusion order and cease and desist orders.
The USITC has identified the following as respondents in this investigation:
Garmin Ltd. of Schaffhausen, Switzerland;
Garmin International, Inc., of Olathe, KS;
Garmin North America, Inc., of Olathe, KS;
Garmin USA, Inc., of Olathe, KS;
Navico Holding AS of Egersund, Norway;
Navico UK Limited of Romsey Hampshire, United Kingdom;
Navico Inc. of Tulsa, OK;
Raymarine, Inc., of Nashua, NH; and
Raymarine UK Ltd. of Fareham, United Kingdom.
By instituting this investigation (337-TA-900), 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.