USITC Institutes Section 337 Investigation on Certain Automotive GPS Navigation Systems, Components Thereof, and Products Containing Same
Peg O'Laughlin
margaret.olaughlin @usitc.gov
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News Release 11-147
Inv. No. 337-TA-814
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819
The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) has voted to institute an investigation of certain automotive GPS navigation systems, components thereof, and products containing same. The products at issue in this investigation are GPS navigation systems and automobiles containing GPS navigation systems.
The investigation is based on a complaint filed by Beacon Navigation GmbH of Switzerland on October 21, 2011. The complaint alleges violations of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 in the importation into the United States and sale of certain automotive GPS navigation systems, components thereof, and product containing the same that infringe patents asserted by Beacon Navigation. The complainant requests that the USITC issue exclusion orders and cease and desist orders.
The USITC has identified the following as respondents in this investigation:
Audi AG of Germany;
Audi of America, Inc., of Auburn Hills, MI;
Audi of America, LLC, of Herndon, VA;
Bayerische Moteren Werke AG of Germany;
BMW of North America, LLC, of Woodcliff Lake, NJ;
BMW Manufacturing Co., LLC, of Greer, SC;
Chrysler Group LLC of Auburn Hills, MI;
Ford Motor Company of Dearborn, MI;
General Motors Company of Detroit, MI;
Honda Motor Co., Ltd., of Japan;
Honda North America, Inc., of Torrance, CA;
American Honda Motor Co., Inc., of Torrance, CA;
Honda Manufacturing of Alabama, LLC, of Lincoln, AL;
Honda Manufacturing of Indiana, LLC, of Greensburg, IN;
Honda of America Mfg., Inc., of Marysville, OH;
Hyundai Motor Company of South Korea;
Hyundai Motor America of Fountain Valley, CA;
Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama, LLC, of Montgomery, AL;
Kia Motors Corp. of South Korea;
Kia Motors America, Inc., of Irvine, CA;
Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia, Inc., of West Point, GA;
Mazda Motor Corporation of Japan;
Mazda Motor of America, Inc., of Irvine, CA;
Daimler AG of Germany;
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC, of Montvale, NJ;
Mercedes-Benz U.S. International, Inc., of Vance, AL;
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., of Japan;
Nissan North America, Inc., of Franklin, TN;
Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG of Germany;
Porsche Cars North America, Inc., of Atlanta, GA;
Saab Automobile AB of Sweden;
Saab Cars North America, Inc., of Royal Oak, MI;
Suzuki Motor Corporation of Japan;
American Suzuki Motor Corporation of Brea, CA;
Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC, of Mahwah, NJ;
Jaguar Cars Limited of the United Kingdom;
Land Rover of the United Kingdom;
Toyota Motor Corporation of Japan;
Toyota Motor North America, Inc., of Torrance, CA;
Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc., of Torrance, CA;
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., of Erlanger, KY;
Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Indiana, Inc., of Princeton, IN;
Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky, Inc., of Georgetown, KY;
Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Mississippi, Inc., of Blue Springs, MS;
Volkswagen AG of Germany;
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., of Herndon, VA;
Volkswagen Group of America Chattanooga Operations, LLC, of Herndon, VA;
Volvo Car Corporation of Sweden; and
Volvo Cars of North America, LLC, of Rockleigh, NJ.
By instituting this investigation (337-TA-814), 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.