January 9, 2009
News Release 09-003
Inv. No. 337-TA-666
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819

The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) has voted to institute an investigation of certain cold cathode fluorescent lamp (CCFL) inverter circuits and products containing same. The products at issue in this investigation are used in notebook computer screens and other LCD displays.

The investigation is based on a complaint filed by O2 Micro International Ltd. of the Cayman Islands and O2 Micro Inc. of Santa Clara, CA, on December 15, 2008. The complaint alleges violations of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 in the importation into the United States and sale of certain cold cathode fluorescent lamp (CCFL) inverter circuits and products containing same that infringe patents owned by O2 Micro. The complainants request that the ITC issue exclusion orders and cease and desist orders.

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

Monolithic Power Systems Inc. of San Jose, CA;
Microsemi Corporation of Irvine, CA;
ASUSTeK Computer Inc. of Taiwan;
ASUSTeK Computer International America of Fremont, CA;
LG Electronics of Korea;
LG Electronics U.S.A. of Englewood Cliffs, NJ;
LG Display Co.., Ltd., of Korea;
LG Display America, Inc., of San Jose, CA;
BenQ Corporation of Taiwan; and
BenQ America Corp. of Irvine, CA.

By instituting this investigation (337-TA-666), the ITC has not yet made any decision on the merits of the case. The ITC's Chief Administrative Law Judge will assign the case to one of the ITC'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 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.