U.S. and Taiwan (2008)

United States International Trade Commission

May 23, 2008
News Release 08-050
Inv. No. 337-TA-650
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819

ITC INSTITUTES SECTION 337 INVESTIGATION ON CERTAIN COAXIAL CABLE CONNECTORS AND COMPONENTS THEREOF AND PRODUCTS CONTAINING SAME

The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) has voted to institute an investigation of certain coaxial cable connectors and components thereof and products containing same. The products at issue in this investigation are coaxial cable connectors, known as "drop" or "F" connectors, which are used to connect coaxial cables to electrical devices such as televisions and computers.

The investigation is based on a complaint filed by John Mezzalingua Associates, Inc., d/b/a PPC, Inc., of East Syracuse, NY, on April 28, 2008. The complaint alleges violations of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 in the importation and sale of certain coaxial cable connectors and components thereof and products containing same that infringe patents owned by the complainant. The complainant requests that the ITC issue an exclusion order and a cease and desist order.

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

Aska Communication Corp. of Pompano Beach, FL;
Edali Industrial Corp. of Taiwan;
Fu Ching Technical Industrial Co., Ltd., of Taiwan;
Gem Electronics of Windsor, CT;
Zongguang Electronics of China;
Yangzhou Zongguang Electronics Co., Ltd. of China;
Yangzhou Zongguang Foreign Trade Co., Ltd. of China; and
Hanjiang Fei Yu Electronics Equipment Factory of China.

By instituting this investigation (337-TA-650), the ITC has not yet made any decision on the merits of the case. The case will be referred to the Honorable Charles E. Bullock , an ITC administrative law judge, who will schedule and hold an evidentiary hearing. Judge Bullock 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 ITC will make a final determination in the investigation at the earliest practicable time. Within 45 days after institution of the investigation, the ITC will set a target date for completing the investigation. ITC 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.