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News Release 19-004
Inv. No(s). 337-TA-1143
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819
The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) has voted to institute an investigation of certain pickup truck folding bed cover systems and components thereof. The products at issue in the investigation are described in the Commission’s notice of investigation.
The investigation is based on a complaint filed by Extang Corporation and Laurmark Enterprises Inc. d/b/a BAK Industries, both of Ann Arbor, MI, on December 7, 2018. The complaint alleges violations of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 in the importation into the United States and sale of certain pickup truck folding bed cover systems and components thereof that infringe patents and trademarks asserted by the complainants. The complainants request that the USITC issue a temporary exclusion order and temporary cease and desist orders, and a permanent general exclusion order, or in the alternative a permanent limited exclusion order, and permanent cease and desist orders.
The USITC has identified the following as respondents in this investigation:
Stehlen Automotive of Walnut, CA;
SyneticUSA of Pico Rivera, CA;
Topline Autoparts, Inc., of Hacienda Heights, CA;
Velocity Concepts Inc. of Hacienda Heights, CA;
JL Concepts Inc. of Walnut, CA;
DT Trading Inc. of Alhambra, CA;
Wenzhou Kouvi Hardware Products Co., Ltd., of Wenzh City, Zhejian Province, China;
Syppo Marketing, Inc., of City of Industry, CA;
Apex Auto Parts Mfg. Inc. of City of Industry, CA;
Ningbo Huadian Cross Country Automobile Accessories Co., Ltd., of Ningbo, China; and
Sunwood Industries Co., Ltd., of Jiangsu, China.
By instituting this investigation (337-TA-1143), 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.