U.S. and Hong Kong (2009)

United States International Trade Commission

October 23, 2009
News Release 09-088
Inv. No. 337-TA-691
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819

USITC INSTITUTES SECTION 337 INVESTIGATION ON CERTAIN INKJET INK SUPPLIES AND COMPONENTS THEREOF

The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) has voted to institute an investigation of certain inkjet ink supplies and components thereof. The products at issue in this investigation are used in inkjet printers.

The investigation is based on a complaint filed by Hewlett-Packard Company of Palo Alto, CA, on September 23, 2009. The complaint alleges violations of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 in the importation into the United States and sale of certain inkjet ink supplies and components thereof that infringe patents asserted by Hewlett-Packard. The complainant requests that the USITC issue an exclusion order and cease and desist orders.

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

Zhuhai Gree Magneto-Electric Co., Ltd., of China;
InkPlusToner.com of Canoga Park, CA;
Mipo International Ltd. of Hong Kong;
Mextec Group Inc. d/b/a Mipo America Ltd. of Miami, FL;
Shanghai Angel Printer Supplies Co. Ltd. of China;
SmartOne Services LLC d/b/a InkForSale.net of Hayward, CA;
Shenzhen Print Media Co., Ltd., of China;
Comptree Ink d/b/a Meritline, ABCInk, EZ Label, and CDR DVDR Media of City of Industry, CA;
Zhuhai National Resources & Jingjie Imaging Products Co., Ltd., of China;
Tatrix International of China; and
Ourway Image Co., Ltd., of China.

By instituting this investigation (337-TA-691), 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 six 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.