U.S. International Trade Commission.
Notice.
Notice is hereby given that the U.S. International Trade Commission has determined to affirm an initial determination (“ID”) of the presiding administrative law judge (“ALJ”) granting the motion of BIC Corporation (“BIC” or “Complainant”) for summary determination of a violation of section 337 by respondents Milan Import Export Company, LLC (“Milan”); Wellpine Company Limited (“Wellpine”); and Zhuoye Lighter Manufacturing Co., Ltd. (“Zhuoye”) (collectively, “the Defaulting Respondents”). The Commission has also determined to issue a general exclusion order (“GEO”) barring entry of certain pocket lighters including an oblong body which is elliptical in cross-section, a fork which is generally parabolic in cross-section, and/or a hood which is generally parabolic in cross-section, that infringe Complainant's asserted trade dress. The Commission has further determined to issue a cease and desist order (“CDO”) directed to respondent Milan. The investigation is terminated.
Houda Morad, Office of the General Counsel, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436, telephone (202) 708–4716. Copies of non-confidential documents filed in connection with this investigation may be viewed on the Commission's electronic docket (EDIS) at
On February 12, 2019, the Commission instituted this investigation under section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended, 19 U.S.C. 1337 (“section 337”), based on a complaint filed by Complainant BIC of Shelton, Connecticut.
The Commission previously terminated other respondents based on settlement and entry of a consent order.
The Commission further found each of the Defaulting Respondents in default.
On November 14, 2019, Complainant filed a motion for summary determination of a violation of section 337 by the Defaulting Respondents. On December 16, 2019, OUII filed a response in support of Complainant's motion. On February 12, 2020, the ALJ issued an ID granting Complainant's motion for summary determination of violation of section 337 by the Defaulting Respondents. No petition for review of the ID was filed.
On April 22, 2020, the Commission determined to review the ID in part with respect to the ID's findings on the economic prong of the domestic industry requirement.
As explained in the Commission's Opinion issued concurrently herewith, the Commission has determined to affirm the ID's findings with respect to the economic prong of the domestic industry requirement and, thus, the ID's finding of a violation of section 337. The Commission has also determined that the appropriate remedy in this investigation is: (1) A GEO prohibiting the unlicensed entry of certain pocket lighters including an oblong body which is elliptical in cross-section, a fork which is generally parabolic in cross-section, and/or a hood which is generally parabolic in cross-section, that infringe Complainant's asserted trade dress, pursuant to section 337(d)(2) (19 U.S.C. 1337(d)(2)); and (2) a CDO directed to defaulting respondent Milan, pursuant to section 337(f)(1) (19 U.S.C. 1337(f)(1)). The Commission has further determined that the bond during the period of Presidential review pursuant to section 337 (j) (19 U.S.C. 1337(j)) shall be in the amount of 100 percent of the entered value of the imported articles that are subject to the GEO and/or CDO. Still further, the Commission has determined that the public interest factors enumerated in subsections 337(d)(1) and (f)(1) (19 U.S.C. 1337(d)(1), (f)(1)) do not preclude the issuance of the GEO and CDO.
The Commission vote for this determination took place on June 22, 2020.
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 part 210 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (19 CFR part 210).
While temporary remote operating procedures are in place in response to COVID–19, the Office of the Secretary is not able to serve parties that have not retained counsel or otherwise provided a point of contact for electronic service. Accordingly, pursuant to Commission Rules §§ 201.16(a) and 210.7(a)(1) (19 CFR 201.16(a), 210.7(a)(1)), the Commission orders that the Complainant(s) complete service for any party/parties without a method of electronic service noted on the attached Certificate of Service and shall file proof of service on the Electronic Document Information System (EDIS).
By order of the Commission.