The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) has voted to institute an investigation of certain equipment for telecommunications or data communications networks, including routers, switches, and hubs, and components thereof. The products at issue in this investigation are used in networks to process various types of signal information such as data, voice transmissions, and faxes.

The investigation is based on a complaint filed by Telcordia Technologies, Inc., of Piscataway, NJ, on May 15, 2006. The complaint alleges violations of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 in the importation into the United States, the sale for importation, and the sale within the United States after importation of certain equipment for telecommunications or data communications networks, including routers, switches, and hubs, and components thereof, that infringes patents owned by Telcordia. The complainant requests that the ITC issue a permanent limited exclusion order and permanent cease and desist orders.

The ITC has identified the following as respondents in this investigation:

Cisco Systems, Inc., of San Jose, CA;
Lucent Technologies, Inc., of Murray Hill, NJ;
Alcatel S.A., of France;
Alcatel USA, Inc., of Plano, TX; and
PMC-Sierra, Inc., of Santa Clara CA.

By instituting this investigation (337-TA-574), the ITC has not yet made any decision on the merits of the case. The case will be referred to the Honorable Robert L. Barton, Jr., an ITC administrative law judge, who will schedule and hold an evidentiary hearing. Judge Barton 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 ITC will make a final determination in the investigation at the earliest practicable time. Within 45 days after institution of the investigation, the ITC will set a target date for completing the investigation. ITC 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.