Opinion ID: 218033
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: The Commission’s Determination Regarding the

Text: “Chamber Chip” Products MemsTech raises an additional issue regarding a modified configuration of its products, referred to as the “chamber chip” products. In his Initial Determination, the ALJ concluded that MemsTech’s chamber-chip products were “not properly before me,” and thus “are not part of this investigation.” J.A. 42 n.2, J.A. 252 n.33. However, the Commission, in its opinion dated June 12, 2009, stated that the chamber-chip products “should not be covered by the Commission exclusion order.” J.A. 327. Pursuant to 19 C.F.R. § 210.47, Knowles requested reconsideration of the chamber-chip issue in the Commission’s order, and MemsTech opposed. The Commission granted the request for reconsideration, and, in its revised opinion dated August 19, 2009, wrote: With respect to MemsTech’s “chamber chip” prod- ucts, pursuant to Commission practice we are not making a finding as to whether particular prod- ucts not considered by the ALJ are or are not within the scope of the order, but note that the or- der generally covers products that infringe the relevant patent claims. J.A. 357. On appeal, MemsTech contends that the Commission violated its duty under the APA by granting Knowles’ petition for reconsideration under Rule 210.47. The Commission and Knowles disagree. 8 8 At oral argument, counsel for Knowles contended that the proper mechanism for determining whether MemsTech’s chamber-chip products are within the scope MEMS TECH v. ITC 36 Under the APA, “[t]he reviewing court shall . . . hold unlawful and set aside agency action, findings, and conclusions found to be arbitrary, capricious, an abuse of discretion, or otherwise not in accordance with law.” 5 U.S.C. § 706(2)(A) (2006). The scope of our review under an arbitrary and capricious standard is narrow; we may not substitute our judgment for that of the agency. Burandt v. Dudas, 528 F.3d 1329, 1332 (Fed. Cir. 2008). In reviewing an agency decision, we “‘must consider whether the decision was based on a consideration of the relevant factors and whether there has been a clear error of judgment.’” Id. (quoting Bowman Transp., Inc. v. Ark.-Best Freight Sys., Inc., 419 U.S. 281, 285 (1974)). “An abuse of discretion occurs where the decision is based on an erroneous interpretation of the law, on factual findings that are not supported by substantial evidence, or represents an unreasonable judgment in weighing relevant factors.” Star Fruits S.N.C. v. United States, 393 F.3d 1277, 1281 (Fed. Cir. 2005). We conclude that the Commission did not violate the APA by granting Knowles’ petition for reconsideration. Rule 210.47 requires that a petition for reconsideration be confined to new questions raised by the determination or action at issue upon which the petitioner had no opportunity to submit arguments. The Commission’s opinion dated June 12, 2009, determined for the first time that the chamber-chip products “should not be covered by the Commission exclusion order.” Thus, it presented a new question upon which Knowles had no previous opportunity to submit arguments. Accordingly, the Commission’s of the Commission’s limited exclusion order is to seek an advisory opinion under 19 C.F.R. § 210.79 or a modification of the order under 19 C.F.R. § 210.76. Oral arg. at 30:00-31:15, available at http://oralarguments.cafc.uscour ts.gov/Audiomp3/2010-1018.mp3. 37 MEMS TECH v. ITC decision to grant the petition under Rule 210.47 was not arbitrary, capricious, an abuse of discretion, or otherwise not in accordance with the law. See 5 U.S.C. § 706(2)(A). We reject MemsTech’s argument that the Commission violated the APA by granting Knowles’ petition.