73 FR 122 pgs. 35710-35711 - In the Matter of Certain Foam Footwear; Notice of Commission Determination to Review-In-Part a Final Initial Determination Finding No Violation of Section 337
Type: NOTICEVolume: 73Number: 122Pages: 35710 - 35711
Docket number: [Investigation No. 337-TA-567]
FR document: [FR Doc. E8-14179 Filed 6-23-08; 8:45 am]
Agency: International Trade Commission
Official PDF Version: PDF Version
INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION
[Investigation No. 337-TA-567]
In the Matter of Certain Foam Footwear; Notice of Commission Determination to Review-In-Part a Final Initial Determination Finding No Violation of Section 337
AGENCY:
U.S. International Trade Commission.
ACTION:
Notice.
SUMMARY:
Notice is hereby given that the U.S. International Trade Commission has determined to review-in-part the presiding administrative law judge's ("ALJ") final determination (ID) finding no violation of section 337 in the above-captioned investigation with respect to U.S. Patent No. 6,993,858 ("the `858 patent) and U.S. Patent No. D517,789 ("the `789 patent").
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Clint Gerdine, Esq., Office of the General Counsel, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street, SW., Washington, DC 20436, telephone (202) 708-5468. Copies of non-confidential documents filed in connection with this investigation are or will be available for inspection during official business hours (8:45 a.m. to 5:15 p.m.) in the Office of the Secretary, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street, SW., Washington, DC 20436, telephone (202) 205-2000. General information concerning the Commission may also be obtained by accessing its Internet server at http://www.usitc.gov . The public record for this investigation may be viewed on the Commission's electronic docket (EDIS) at http://edis.usitc.gov . Hearing-impaired persons are advised that information on this matter can be obtained by contacting the Commission's TDD terminal on (202) 205-1810.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
The Commission instituted this investigation on May 11, 2006, based on a complaint, as amended, filed by Crocs, Inc. ("Crocs") of Niwot, Colorado. 71 FR 27514 (2006). The amended complaint alleges violations of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (19 U.S.C. 1337), in the importation into the United States, the sale for importation, and the sale within the United States after importation of certain foam footwear, by reason of infringement of claims 1-2 of U.S. Patent No. 6,993,858; U.S. Patent No. D517,789; and the Crocs trade dress (the image and overall appearance of Crocs-brand footwear). The complaint further alleges that an industry in the United States exists as required by subsection (a)(2) of section 337. The complaint requests that the Commission issue a permanent general exclusion order and permanent cease and desist orders. The complaint identifies 11 respondents that include: (1) Collective Licensing International, LLC ("Collective") of Englewood, Colorado; (2) Double Diamond Distribution Ltd. ("Double Diamond") of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan; (3) Effervescent Inc. ("Effervescent") of Fitchburg, Massachusetts; (4) Gen-X Sports, Inc. ("Gen-X Sports") of Toronto, Ontario; (5) Holey Shoes Holding Ltd. ("Holey Shoes") of Vancouver, British Columbia; (6) Australia Unlimited, Inc. of Seattle, Washington; (7) Cheng's Enterprises Inc. of Carlstadt, New Jersey; (8) D. Myers Sons, Inc. of Baltimore, Maryland; (9) Inter-Pacific Trading Corp. of Los Angeles, California; (10) Pali Hawaii of Honolulu, Hawaii; and (11) Shaka Shoes of Kaliua-Kona, Hawaii. The Commission terminated the investigation as to the trade dress allegation on September 11, 2006. A twelfth respondent, Old Dominion Footwear, Inc. of Madison Heights, Virginia, was added to the investigation on October 10, 2006. All but five respondents have been terminated from the investigation on the basis of a consent order, settlement agreement, or undisputed Commission determination of non-infringement. The five remaining respondents are: (1) Collective; (2) Double Diamond; (3) Effervescent; (4) Gen-X Sports; and (5) Holey Shoes.
On April 11, 2008, the ALJ issued his final ID finding no violation of section 337 by the remaining respondents. On April 24, 2008, the Commission issued a notice extending the deadline for determining whether to review the final ID by 15 days to June 11, 2008. On June 11, 2008, the Commission issued a notice extending the deadline for determining whether to review the final ID by 7 days to June 18, 2008.
Upon considering the parties' filings, the Commission has determined to review-in-part the final ID. Specifically, with respect to the `789 patent, the Commission has determined to review the ALJ's findings concerning non-infringement by the respondents' products and lack of satisfaction of the technical prong of the domestic industry requirement by Crocs' footwear. The Commission has also determined to review the ALJ's finding of invalidity with respect to the `858 patent. The Commission does not request any further written submissions at this time.
The authority for the Commission's determination is contained in section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended, 19 U.S.C. 1337, and in sections 210.42-45 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure, 19 CFR 210.42-45.
By order of the Commission.
Issued: June 18, 2008.
Marilyn R. Abbott,
Secretary to the Commission.
[FR Doc. E8-14179 Filed 6-23-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7020-02-P