U.S. International Trade Commission Investigates Certain LTO Cartridges and Components

The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) has voted to institute an investigation of certain magnetic tape cartridges and components thereof.

The products at issue in the investigation are Linear Tape-Open (LTO) magnetic tape products and tape cartridge components comprising such products.

The investigation is based on a complaint filed by Sony Corporation of Tokyo, Japan; Storage Media and Devices Corporation of Miyagi, Japan; Sony DADC US Inc., Terre Haute, IN; and Sony Latin America Inc., Miami, FL, on December 15, 2016.

Supplements to the complaint were filed on January 5, 2017. The complaint, as supplemented, alleges violations of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 in the importation into the United States and sale of certain magnetic tape cartridges and components thereof that allegedly infringe patents asserted by the complainants. The complainants request that the USITC issue a limited exclusion order and cease and desist orders.

USITC has identified following as respondents in this investigation:

• Fujifilm Holdings Corporation, Tokyo, Japan;

• Fujifilm Corporation, Tokyo, Japan;

• Fujifilm Holdings America Corporation, Valhalla, NY; and

• Fujifilm Recording Media U.S.A., Inc., Bedford, MA.

By instituting this investigation (337-TA-1036), 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.