[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 86 (Monday, May 5, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Page 25617]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-10231]
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INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION
[Investigation No. 337-TA-744 (Remand)]
Investigations: Terminations, Modifications and Rulings: Certain
Mobile Devices, Associated Software, and Components Thereof
AGENCY: U.S. International Trade Commission.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the U.S. International Trade
Commission (``the Commission'') has determined to terminate the above-
captioned investigation because the only remaining asserted patent has
expired.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Liberman, Esq., Office of the
General Counsel, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW.,
Washington, DC 20436, telephone (202) 205-3115. Copies of all 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 (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 the matter can
be obtained by contacting the Commission's TDD terminal on 202-205-
1810.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Commission instituted this investigation
on November 5, 2010, based on a complaint filed by Microsoft
Corporation of Redmond, Washington (``Microsoft''). 75 FR 68379-80
(Nov. 5, 2010). The 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 mobile devices,
associated software, and components thereof by reason of infringement
of U.S. Patent Nos. 5,579,517 (``the '517 patent''); 5,758,352 (``the
'352 patent''); 6,621,746 (``the '746 patent''); 6,826,762 (``the '762
patent''); 6,909,910 (``the '910 patent''); 7,644,376 (``the '376
patent''); 5,664,133 (``the '133 patent''); 6,578,054 (``the '054
patent''); and 6,370,566 (``the '566 patent''). Subsequently, the '517
and the '746 patents were terminated from the investigation. The notice
of investigation, as amended, names Motorola Mobility, Inc., of
Libertyville, Illinois, and Motorola, Inc., of Schaumburg, Illinois
(collectively, ``Motorola''), as respondents. Motorola, Inc., n/k/a
Motorola Solutions, was terminated from the investigation based on
withdrawal of infringement allegations on July 12, 2011.
The presiding ALJ issued the final ID on violation in this
investigation on December 20, 2011, finding a violation of section 337
only with respect to the '566 patent. The Commission affirmed the ALJ's
finding and issued a limited exclusion order barring the entry of
articles that infringe the '566 patent. See Commission Opinion at 36
(May 18, 2012).
Microsoft appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal
Circuit for review of the Commission's determination of no violation
with respect to the '054, '762, '376, and '133 patents. On October 3,
2013, the Federal Circuit affirmed the Commission's determination of no
violation with respect to the '054, '762, and '376 patents. The Federal
Circuit remanded consideration of the '133 patent to the Commission,
with instructions to apply a different construction of the asserted
'133 patent claims. Microsoft Corp. v. Int'l Trade Comm'n, 731 F.3d
1354 (Fed. Cir. 2013). On December 16, 2013, the Federal Circuit
affirmed the Commission's exclusion order based on infringement of the
'566 patent. Motorola Mobility, LLC v. Int'l Trade Comm'n, 737 F.3d
1345 (Fed. Cir. 2013).
On December 13, 2013, the remanded '133 patent expired. On December
16, 2013, Motorola filed a motion with the Federal Circuit seeking to
have the court's decision with respect to that patent vacated based on
mootness due to the expiration of the '133 patent. On January 3, 2014,
in a non-precedential order, the Federal Circuit denied Motorola's
motion. Microsoft Corp. v. Int'l Trade Comm'n, Appeal No. 2012-1445,
Order (Fed. Cir. Jan. 3, 2014). The court stated its conclusion was not
dependent on ``whether the Commission can any longer take action on the
'133 patent or otherwise has any continuing interest in this matter.''
Id. at 2.
Because the '133 patent has expired, the Commission has determined
no remedy may issue in this investigation. The Commission has therefore
terminated the investigation.
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.
By order of the Commission.
Issued: April 30, 2014.
Lisa R. Barton,
Secretary to the Commission.
[FR Doc. 2014-10231 Filed 5-2-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7020-02-P