[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 201 (Thursday, October 17, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 83701-83702]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-23968]


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INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION

[Investigation No. 337-TA-1399]


Certain Fiber-Optic Connectors, Adapters, Jump Cables, Patch 
Cords, Products Containing the Same, and Components Thereof; Notice of 
Commission Determination Not To Review an Initial Determination 
Terminating the Investigation Based on Settlement; Termination of the 
Investigation

AGENCY: U.S. International Trade Commission.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the U.S. International Trade 
Commission has determined not to review an initial determination 
(``ID'') (Order No. 34) of the presiding administrative law judge 
(``ALJ'') terminating the two remaining respondents based on 
settlement. The investigation is thus terminated in its entirety.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert Needham, Office of the General 
Counsel, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW, 
Washington, DC 20436, telephone (202) 205-2392. Copies of non-
confidential documents filed in connection with this investigation may 
be viewed on the Commission's electronic docket (EDIS) at https://edis.usitc.gov. For help accessing EDIS, please email 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#e8adaca1bbdba08d8498a89d9b819c8bc68f879e"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="20656469731368454c506055534954430e474f56">[email protected]</span></a>. General information concerning the Commission may 
also be obtained by accessing its internet server at https://www.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: On April 26, 2024, the Commission instituted 
this investigation based on a complaint, as supplemented, filed on 
behalf of US Conec, Ltd., of Hickory, North Carolina (``US Conec''). 89 
FR 32459-60 (Apr. 26, 2024). The complaint alleged violations of 
section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended, 19 U.S.C. 1337, 
based upon the importation into the United States, the sale for 
importation, and the sale within the United States after importation of 
certain fiber-optic connectors, adapters, jump cables, patch cords, 
products containing the same, and components thereof that infringe 
certain claims of U.S. Patent Nos. 11,733,466; 11,808,994; 11,906,794; 
11,880,075; 11,385,415 and 10,495,823. Id. at 32459. The complaint also 
alleged that a domestic industry exists. Id. The Commission's notice of 
investigation names as respondents Senko Advance Co., Ltd. of Yokkaichi 
City, Japan and Senko Advanced Components, Inc. of Hudson, 
Massachusetts (``the Senko Respondents''); Eaton Corp. of Dublin, 
Ireland; Tripp Lite Holdings, Inc. of Woodridge, Illinois; FS.com Inc. 
of New Castle, Delaware (``FS.com''); Infinite Electronics, Inc. of 
Irvine, California; L-com, Inc. of North Andover, Massachusetts; 
Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. of Osaka, Japan, Sumitomo Electric 
Lightwave Corp. of Raleigh, North Carolina, and Sumitomo Electric 
U.S.A., Inc. of Torrance, California (together, ``Sumitomo''); EZconn 
Corp. of New Taipei City, Taiwan; Flexoptix GmbH of Darmstadt, Germany; 
Shenzhen UnitekFiber Solution Ltd. of Shenzhen, China; Hubbell Inc. of 
Shelton, Connecticut; Hubbell Premise Wiring, Inc. of Shelton, 
Connecticut; Shenzhen IH Optics Co., Ltd. of Shenzhen, China; Rayoptic 
Communication Co., Ltd., of Shenzhen, China; and HuNan Surfiber 
Technology Co., Ltd. of Changsha, China. Id. at 32460. The Office of 
Unfair Import Investigations (``OUII'') is participating in this 
investigation. Id.
    The Commission previously terminated the investigation in part 
based on the entry of consent orders with respect to the following 
respondents: FS.com Inc., Order No. 15 (Jun. 25, 2024), unreviewed by 
Comm'n Notice (Jul. 24, 2024); Shenzhen IH Optics Co., Ltd., Order No. 
16 (Jun. 26, 2024), unreviewed by Comm'n Notice (Jul. 24, 2024); 
Flexoptix GmbH, Order No. 17 (Jun. 26, 2024), unreviewed by Comm'n 
Notice (Jul. 24, 2024). The Commission also previously terminated the 
investigation in part based on settlement with respect to Sumitomo. 
Sumitomo, Order No. 21 (Jul. 15, 2024), unreviewed by Comm'n Notice 
(Aug. 8, 2024).
    The Commission further previously terminated the investigation in 
part based on US Conec's withdrawal of the complaint with respect to 
the following respondents: Hubbell Inc., Hubbell Premise Wiring, Inc., 
EZconn Corp., Changzhou Co-Net Electronic Technology Co., Ltd., 
Shenzhen UnitekFiber Solution Ltd., Rayoptic Communication Co., Ltd., 
HuNan Surfiber Technology Co., Ltd., Eaton Corp., Tripp Lite Holdings, 
Inc., Infinite Electronics, Inc., and L-Com, LLC. Order No. 33 (Sept. 
3, 2024), unreviewed by Comm'n Notice (Oct. 3, 2024).
    On July 9, 2024, US Conec filed a motion for leave to amend the 
complaint and notice of investigation to add three respondents: Protai 
Photonic Co., Ltd., Jarllytec Co., Ltd., and Wave2Wave Solutions Corp. 
d/b/a FiberSmart. The ALJ issued Order No. 27 granting the motion to 
allow US Conec to amend its complaint. Order No. 27 (Jul. 31, 2024), 
unreviewed by Comm'n Notice (Aug. 16, 2024). But while US Conec was 
granted leave to amend its complaint, US Conec never filed an amended 
complaint. Therefore, Protai Photonic Co., Ltd., Jarllytec Co., Ltd., 
and Wave2Wave Solutions Corp. d/b/a FiberSmart were not added to the 
investigation as respondents.
    On September 23, 2024, US Conec and the Senko Respondents jointly 
moved to terminate the investigation with respect to the Senko 
Respondents based on settlement. That same day, OUII filed a response 
in support of the motion. No other party responded to the motion.
    On July 15, 2024, the ALJ issued the subject ID granting the motion 
and terminating the investigation with respect to the Senko Respondents 
based on settlement pursuant to Commission Rule 210.21(b)(1) (19 CFR 
210.21(b)(1)). Because the Senko Respondents were the last remaining 
respondents in the investigation, the ID also terminates the 
investigation in its entirety. No petitions for review of the subject 
ID were received.
    The Commission has determined not to review the subject ID. This 
investigation is hereby terminated.
    The Commission vote for this determination took place on October 
11, 2024.
    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).

    By order of the Commission.


[[Page 83702]]


    Issued: October 11, 2024.
Lisa Barton,
Secretary to the Commission.
[FR Doc. 2024-23968 Filed 10-16-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7020-02-P


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