`
`UNITED STATES INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION
`
`Washington, DC.
`
`In the Matter of
`
`CERTAIN ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS,
`
`Inv. No. 337-TA—1043
`
`
`
`
`COMPONENTS THEREOF, AND
`PRODUCTS CONTAINING THE SAME
`
`
`
`
`INITIAL DETERMINATION ON VIOLATION OF SECTION 337 AND
`RECOMMENDED DETERMINATION ON REMEDY AND BOND
`
`Chief Administrative Law Judge Charles E. Bullock
`
`(April 12, 2019)
`
`Appearances:
`
`For Complainant .15. T. Corgoration
`
`Timothy K. Sendek, Esq.; Stacy A. Baim, 'Esq.; Robyn M. Bowland, Esq.; and John M. Schafer,
`Esq. of Akerman LLP from Chicago, IL
`
`Keith Scala, Esq. of Myers Bradford PLLC from Washington, DC
`
`Mitchell S. Zaj ac, Esq. of Butzel Long from Detroit, MI
`
`For Respondents Robert Bosch GmbH; Bosch Automotive Products (Suzhou) Co.z Ltd. ; Robert
`Bosch LLC; Robert Bosch, Sistemas Automotrices, SA. de C. V. ; Hon Hai Precision Industry
`Co.z Ltd; and Foxconn Interconnect Technology Ltd
`
`Bas de Blank, Esq. of Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP from Menlo Park, CA
`
`Jordan L. Coyle, Esq. and Christopher J. Higgins, Esq. of Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP
`from Washington, DC
`
`Donald E. Daybell, Esq. and Michael C. Chow, Esq. of Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP from
`Irvine, CA
`
`
`
`LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS
`
`The following abbreviations may be used in this Initial Determination:
`
`O
`
`nx
`
`
`
` CX
`
`CIB
`
`CRB
`
`CPHB
`
`ifi
`
`ix
`
`RPX
`
`Respondents exhibit
`
`Respondents mitial post-hearing brief
`
`Respondents’ reply post hearing brief
`
`RPHB
`
`Respondents’ pre-hearrng brief
`
`Respondents’ exhiblt
`
`Respondents’ lmtlal post-hearing brief
`3
`.
`.
`Respondents reply post hearmg brlef
`
`
`
`Pre-hearing brief
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`PUBLIC VERSION
`
`UNITED STATES INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION
`
`Washington, DC.
`
`In the Matter of
`
`
`
`
`CERTAIN ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS,
`COMPONENTS THEREOF, AND
`PRODUCTS CONTAINING THE SAME
`
`
`
`
`
`In“ NO- 337-TA'1043
`
`INITIAL DETERMINATION ON VIOLATION OF SECTION 337 AND
`
`RECOMMENDED DETERMINATION ON REMEDY AND BOND
`
`Chief Administrative Law Judge Charles E. Bullock
`
`(April 12, 2019)
`
`Pursuant to the Notice of Investigation, this is the Initial Determination in the Matter of
`
`Certain Electrical Connectors, Components Thereof, and Products Containing the Same,
`
`Investigation No. 337—TA-1043.
`
`For the reasons stated herein, the undersigned has determined that a Violation of section
`
`337 of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended, has been found in the importation into the United States,
`
`the sale for importation, or the sale within the United States after importation of certain electrical
`
`connectors, components thereof, and products containing the same with respect to US. Patent No.
`
`7,004,766 as to Respondents Robert Bosch LLC., Robert Bosch, Sistemas Automatrices, SA. de
`
`C.V., and Foxconn Interconnect Technology, Ltd. There is no Violation of section 337 of the Tariff
`
`Act of 1930, as amended, as to the remaining Respondents.
`
`
`
`PUBLIC VERSION
`
`TABLE OF CONTENTS
`
`I.
`
`INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................... 1
`
`...................................................................................... 1
`A. Procedural History
`B. The Private Parties ........................................................................................................... 2
`
`1 .
`
`2.
`
`Complainant ............................................................................................................ 2
`
`a.
`
`J .S.T Corporation .................................................................................................... 2
`
`Respondents ............................................................................................................ 3
`a. Robert Bosch GmbH ............................................................................................... 3
`
`b. Robert Bosch LLC .................................................................................................. 3
`
`0. Bosch Automotive Products (Suzhou) Co., Ltd...................................................... 3
`
`(1. Robert Bosch, Sistemas Automotrices, SA. de CV. ............................................. 3
`
`e. Foxconn Interconnect Technology, Ltd. ................................................................. 3
`
`f. Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. Ltd. ...................................................................... 3
`C. Products at Issue .............................................................................................................. 4
`
`1.
`
`2.
`
`The Accused Products ............................................................................................. 4
`
`The Domestic Industry Products ............................................................................. 4
`
`II.
`
`JURISDICTION AND IMPORTATION ................................................................................ 4
`
`A. Subject Matter Jurisdiction .............................................................................................. 4
`B. Personal Jurlsdlction .................................. 5
`
`C.
`
`In Rem Jurisdiction .......................................................................................................... 5
`
`l.
`
`Jurisdiction Over Specific Respondents ................................................................. 6
`a. Robert Bosch GmbH ............................................................................................... 7
`
`b. Bosch Automotive Products (Suzhou) Co.
`
`...................................... 7
`
`0. Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd. ..................................................................... 8
`
`III. ORDINARY SKILL IN THE ART ........................................................................................ 9
`
`IV. RELEVANT LAW ................................................................................................................ 10
`
`A.
`
`Infringement ................................................................................................................... 1 0
`
`1.
`
`Literal Infringement .............................................................................................. 10
`
`B. Validity
`
`....................................................................................................................... 10
`
`1.
`
`2.
`
`Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102) ............................................................... 11
`
`Obviousness (35 U.S.C. § 103) ............................................................................. 11
`
`3.
`Indefiniteness (35 U.S.C. § 112) ........................................................................... 12
`[Domestic Industry ........................................................... I............................................... 13
`
`C.
`
`1.
`
`Economic Prong .................................................................................................... 13
`
`
`
`PUBLIC VERSION
`
`2.
`
`Technical Prong
`
`.................................................. 14
`
`V. U.S. PATENT NO. 7,004,766 ................................................................................... ‘. ............ 15
`
`A. Overview .................................................................................................................................. 15
`
`1.
`
`2.
`
`Asserted Claims .................................................................................................... 15
`
`Claim Construction ............................................................................................... 16
`
`B.
`
`Infringement ......................,............................................................................................. 1 7
`
`1.
`
`Claim 2 .................................................................................................................. 17
`
`a.
`
`“A tine plate that is to be mounted on an electric connector, wherein the
`
`electric connector includes a plurality of contact legs protruding from an
`
`insulative housing, said tine plate comprising” ................................................... 17
`
`b. “a plate of insulating material that has an elongated plate shape with a
`
`longest dimension thereof extending in a longitudinal direction” ....................... 17
`
`c.
`
`“the tine plate has plural holes that penetrate through a thickness of the
`
`tine plate and that are configured and arranged to have the contact legs of
`
`the electric connector respectively inserted therethrough so as to position
`
`and support the contact legs with the tine plate” .................................................. 18
`
`d. “the plural holes include first holes that each respectively have an elongated
`
`hole shape that is longer in the longitudinal direction than in a
`
`transverse direction perpendicular thereto,” ......................................................... 21
`
`e.
`
`“the plural holes further include second holes that each respectively has a
`hole shape that has equal dimensions respectively in the longitudinal direction
`
`and in the transverse direction, and” ................... ................................................. 21
`
`f.
`
`“the first holes are provided in end regions of the tine plate proximate
`
`to two opposite ends of the tine plate in the longitudinal direction, and the
`
`second holes are provided in a center region of the tine plate between the
`
`2.
`
`3.
`
`end regions.” ......................................................................................................... 24
`
`g. Conclusion ............................................................................................................ 27
`
`Claim 4: “The tine plate accordingto claim 2, wherein the hole shape of the
`
`second holes is a square shape.” ........................................................................... 27
`
`Claim 9: “The tine plate according to claim 2, wherein the plural holes are all
`
`respectively independent individual holes that are not interconnected with one
`
`another and that are configured and arranged so that each one of the holes
`
`receives no more than one of the contact legs therein.” ....................................... 28
`
`4.
`
`Claim 10: “A combination of the tine plate according to claim 2 together
`
`with the electric connector, wherein the tine plate is mounted on the electric
`
`connector and the contact legs respectively extend through the holes of the
`tine plate so as to be positioned and supported thereby.” .................................... I. 29
`
`C. Domestic Industry — Technical Prong ............................................................................ 3O
`1.
`RAD Connector .................................................................................................... 3O
`
`
`
`PUBLIC VERSION
`
`a. Claim 1 .................................................................................................................. 30
`
`(i) “A tine plate that is to be mounted on an electric connector, wherein
`
`the electric connector comprises a plurality of contacts, each of which
`
`includes at one end a contact leg that is to be inserted into an insertion hole
`
`that penetrates through a thickness of a printed circuit board and includes at
`
`an other end a contacting part that is to contact a contact of a counterpart
`
`connector, and the electric connector further comprises an insulative housing
`
`in which the contacts are arranged so that the contact legs thereof extend
`
`substantially parallel to each other, said tine plate comprisingz” .....................
`(ii) “a plate of insulating material that has a longitudinal direction in
`
`30
`
`which a larger dimension thereof extends, and a transverse direction
`
`perpendicular to the longitudinal direction,” ........................................................ 31
`
`(iii) “wherein the tine plate has a plurality of through holes, Which holes
`
`penetrate through a thickness of the tine plate and into Which holes the
`
`contact legs of the contacts are to be inserted, and wherein at least some
`of the through holes at respective ends of the tine plate in the longitudinal
`
`direction respectively have an elongated hole shape of which a largest
`
`value of an inside dimension thereof in the longitudinal direction of the
`
`tine plate is greater than a largest value of an inside dimensions thereof
`
`in the transverse direction of the tine plate,” ........................................................ 31
`
`(iv) “wherein the elongated hole shape is a distorted circle shape that is
`
`elongated in the longitudinal direction of the tine plate, or an ellipse having
`
`a major axis extending in the longitudinal direction of the tine plate, and” ......... 33
`
`(v) “wherein the through holes are all respectively independent individual
`
`holes that are not interconnected with one another and that are configured
`
`and arranged so that each one of the holes receives no more than one of the
`
`contact legs therein.” ............................................................................................. 34
`
`(vi) Conclusion .................................................................................................... 35
`b. Claim 2 .................................................................................................................. 35
`
`(i) “A tine plate that is to be mounted on an electric connector, wherein the
`
`electric connector includes a plurality of contact legs protruding from an
`
`insulative housing, said tine plate comprising” .................................................... 35
`
`(ii) “a plate of insulating material that has an elongated plate shape with a
`
`longest dimension thereof extending in a longitudinal direction” ........................ 35
`
`(iii) “the tine plate has plural holes that penetrate through a thickness of
`
`the tine plate and that are configured and arranged to have the contact legs
`
`of the electric connector respectively inserted therethrough so as to position
`
`and support the contact legs with the tine plate”
`
`............................ 36
`
`(iv) “the plural holes include first holes that each respectively have
`
`
`
`PUBLIC VERSION
`
`an elongated hole shape that is longer in the longitudinal direction than in a
`
`transverse direction perpendicular thereto,”
`
`............................................... 36
`
`(v) “the plural holes further include second holes that each respectively
`
`has a hole shape that has equal dimensions respectively in the longitudinal
`
`direction and in the transverse direction, and” ...................................................... 37
`
`(vi) “the first holes are provided in end regions of the tine plate proximate
`
`to two opposite ends of the tine plate in the longitudinal direction, and the
`second holes are provided in a center region of the tine plate between the
`
`end regions.” ........................................................................................................ 38
`
`(vii) Conclusion ................................................................................................... 39
`
`Claims 3, 6, 9, and 10 ........................................................................................... 39
`HIT2 Connector .................................................................................................... 41
`
`Claim 1 .................................................................................................................. 41
`
`(i) “A tine plate that is to be mounted on an electric connector, wherein the
`
`electric connector comprises a plurality of contacts, each of which includes
`
`at one end a contact leg that is to be inserted into an insertion hole that
`
`penetrates through a thickness of a printed circuit board and includes at
`
`an other end a contacting part that is to contact a contact of a counterpart
`
`connector, and the electric connector further comprises an insulative housing
`
`in which the contacts are arranged so that the contact legs thereof extend
`
`substantially parallel to each other, said tine plate comprising”.......................... 41
`
`(ii) “a plate of insulating material that has a longitudinal direction in which
`
`a larger dimension thereof extends, and a transverse direction perpendicular
`
`to the longitudinal direction,” ............................................................................... 41
`
`(iii) “wherein the tine plate has a plurality of through holes, which holes
`
`penetrate through a thickness of the tine plate and into which holesthe
`
`contact legs of the contacts are to be inserted, and wherein at least some
`
`of the through holes at respective ends of the tine plate in the longitudinal
`
`direction respectively have an elongated hole shape of which a largest value
`
`of an inside dimension thereof in the longitudinal direction of the tine plate
`
`is greater than a largest value of an inside dimensions thereof in the
`
`transverse direction of the tine plate,” .................................................................. 42
`
`(iv) “wherein the elongated hole shape is a distorted circle shape that is
`
`elongated in the longitudinal direction of the tine plate, or an ellipse having
`
`a major axis extending in the longitudinal direction of the tine plate, and” ......... 43
`
`(v) “wherein the through holes are all respectively independent individual
`
`holes that are not interconnected with one another and that are configured
`
`and arranged so that each one of the holes receives no more than one of the
`
`contact legs therein” ............................................ 43
`
`(vi) Conclusion .................................................................................................... 44
`
`iv
`
`
`
`PUBLIC VERSION
`
`b. Claim 2 .................................................................................................................. 44
`
`(i) “A tine plate that is to be mounted on an electric connector, wherein
`
`the electric connector includes a plurality of contact legs protruding from an
`
`insulative housing, said tine plate comprising” .................................................... 44
`
`(ii) “a plate of insulating material that has an elongated plate shape with a
`
`longest dimension thereof extending in a longitudinal direction” ...................... 44
`
`(iii) “the tine plate has plural holes that penetrate through a thickness of
`
`the tine plate and that are configured and arranged to have the contact legs
`
`of the electric connector respectively inserted therethrough so as to position
`
`and support the contact legs with the tine plate” .................................................. 45
`
`(iv) “the plural holes include first holes that each respectively have an
`
`elongated hole shape that is longer in the longitudinal direction than in a
`transverse direction perpendicular thereto,” ......................................................... 45
`
`(v) “the plural holes further include second holes that each respectively
`
`has a hole shape that has equal dimensions respectively in the longitudinal
`
`direction and in the transverse direction, and” ...................................................... 46
`
`(vi) “the first holes are provided in end regions of the tine plate proximate
`
`to two opposite ends of the tine plate in the longitudinal direction, and the
`
`second holes are provided in a center region of the tine plate between the
`
`D.
`
`l.
`
`2.
`
`3.
`
`end regions.” ......................................................................................................... 47
`
`(vii) Conclusion ................................................................................................... 47
`
`0. Claims 3, 6, 9, and 10 ........................................................................................... 48
`
`Invalidity ...................................................................................................................................49
`
`35 U.S.C. § 112 ..................................................................................................... 49
`
`Priority Date .......................................................................................................... 49
`
`Anticipation........................................................................................................... 50
`
`a. Tyco Docking Station Connector.......................................................................... 50
`
`’(i) Whether The Tyco Docking Station Connector Constitutes Prior Art .......... 50
`
`(ii) Claim 2 .......................................................................................................... 53
`
`(a) “A tine plate that is to be mounted on an electric connector,
`
`wherein the electric connector includes a plurality of contact legs
`
`protruding from an insulative housing, said tine plate comprising” ......... 53
`
`(b) “a plate of insulating material that has an elongated plate shape
`
`with a longest dimension thereof extending in a longitudinal
`direction” ................................................................................................... 53
`
`(c) “the tine plate has plural holes that penetrate through a thickness
`
`of the tine plate and that are configured and arranged to have the
`
`contact legs of the electric connector respectively inserted
`
`therethrough so as to position and support the contact legs with
`
`the tine plate” ................, ........................................................................ 5 3
`
`
`
`PUBLIC VERSION
`
`(d) “the plural holes include first holes that each respectively
`
`have an elongated hole shape that is longer in the longitudinal
`
`direction than in a transverse direction perpendicular thereto,” .............. 54
`
`(e) “the plural holes further include second holes that each
`
`respectively has a hole shape that has equal dimensions respectively
`in the longitudinal direction and in the transverse direction, and” ........... 5 6
`
`(I) “the first holes are provided in end regions of the tine plate
`
`proximate to two opposite ends of the tine plate in the longitudinal
`
`direction, and the second holes are provided in a center region of
`
`the tine plate between the end regions.” ................................................... 57
`
`(g) Conclusion ........................................................................................... 60
`
`(iii) Claims 4, 9, and 10 .....................................-.................................................. 6 1
`b. Sasame ’662 .......................................................................................................... 61
`
`c. Chen ...................................................................................................................... 63
`
`'d.
`
`Johnescu ................................................................................................................ 65
`
`e. Tyco 121 Way Connector ..................................................................................... 66
`Obviousness .......................................................................................................... 68
`
`4.
`
`a. Sasame ’662 Combined with Johnescu................................................................. 68
`
`b. Tyco Docking Station Connector Combined with Johnescu ................................ 69
`c. Chen Combined with Johnescu ............................................................................. 70
`
`d.
`
`Johnescu Combined with Bixler ........................................................................... 71
`
`VI. DOMESTIC INDUSTRY — ECONOMIC PRONG ............................................................. 72
`
`A. Significant Investment in Plant and Equipment............................................................. 73
`
`VII. CONCLUSIONS OF LAW .................................................................... 77
`
`VIII. RECOMMENDED DETERMINATION ON REMEDY AND BOND ............................. 78
`
`A. Limited Exclusion Order ................................................................................................ 79
`
`B. Cease and DesistOrder ..... 80
`
`C. Bond During Presidential Review Period ...................................................................... 81
`
`IX.
`
`INITIAL DETERMINATION .............................................................................................. 83
`
`Vi
`
`
`
`I.
`
`INTRODUCTION
`
`A.
`
`Procedural History
`
`Complainant J.S.T. Corporation (“JST”) filed a complaint on February 6, 2017. The
`
`complaint, as supplemented, alleged violations of section 337 based on the importation and sale
`
`of certain electrical connectors, components thereof, and products containing the same that
`
`purportedly infringe US. Patent No. 7,004,766 (“the ’766 patent”). 82 Fed. Reg. 13,654-655 (Mar.
`
`14, 2017). The investigation was instituted on March 14, 2017. Id. The Notice of Institution named
`
`the following entities as respondents: Robert Bosch GmbH; Bosch Automotive Products (Suzhou)
`
`Co., Ltd; Robert Bosch LLC; Robert Bosch, Sistemas Automotrices, SA. de C.V.; Robert Bosch
`
`Ltda.; Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.; and Foxconn Interconnect Technology Ltd. Id. Robert
`
`Bosch Ltda. has been terminated from this Investigation. (See Notice of Comm’n Determination
`
`Not to Review an Initial Determination Terminating the Investigation as to a Single Respondent
`
`(Dec. 3, 2018).)
`
`On September 28, 2017, the undersigned issued a Markman Order in this Investigation,
`
`wherein the undersigned found certain terms of US. Patent Nos. 7,004,766 indefinite. (See Order
`
`No. 23.) Upon finding claim 2 invalid for indefmiteness, the undersigned declined to construe all
`
`of the disputed terms contained within that claim, as well as the remaining dependent claims.
`
`On October 16, 2017,
`
`the undersigned issued an initial determination granting
`
`Respondents’ motion for summary determination of invalidity of claims 2, 4, 9, and 10 of the ’766
`
`patent. (See Order No. 24.) The Commission determined to review this initial determination on
`
`November 30, 2017. (See Notice of Comm’n Decision to Review an Initial Determination Granting
`
`Respondent’s Mot. for Summary Determination of Invalidity as to all Asserted Claims.) On March
`
`26, 2017, the Commission reversed the undersigned’s finding of indefiniteness and remanded the
`
`
`
`investigation to the undersigned for flirther proceedings. (See Notice of Commission Decision to
`
`Reverse an Initial Determination Granting Respondents’ Mot. for Summary Determination of
`
`Invalidity as to all Asserted Claims and to Remand the Investigation.)
`
`On April 5, 2018, the undersigned issued a supplemental Markman Order addressing those
`
`limitations not construed by the undersigned in Order No. 23. (See Order No. 25.) In that Order,
`
`the undersigned found certain claim language in asserted claim 9 invalid. for indefiniteness. (Id.)
`
`On May 18, 2018,
`
`the undersigned issued an initial determination granting—in—part
`
`Respondents’ motion for summary determination of invalidity of claims 1 and 9. (See Order No.
`
`30.) Specifically, the undersigned granted Respondents” motion as to claim 9, but not claim 1. (Id.)
`
`On June 19, 2018, the Commission determined to review this initial determination. (See Notice of
`Comm’n Decision to Review an Initial Determination Granting in Part Respondents’ Mot. for
`
`Summary Determination of Invalidity as to Claims 1 and 9 of US. Patent No. 7,004,766.) On July
`
`24, 2018, the Commission reversed the iundersigned’s finding of indefiniteness and ordered the
`
`undersigned to incorporate the Commission’s claim construction into the proceedings. (See Notice
`
`of Comm’n Decision to Reverse an Initial Determination Granting Respondents’ Mot. for
`
`Summary Determination of Invalidity as to Asserted Claim 9.)
`
`The evidentiary hearing was held November 13 — 16, 2018.
`
`B.
`
`The Private Parties
`
`1.
`
`Complainant
`
`a)
`
`J.S.T Corporation
`
`JST is a privately held corporation organized under the laws of Illinois, with its principal
`
`place of business at 1957 S. Lakeside Dr., Waukegan, IL 60085. (Compl. at 1) 16.) JST researches,
`
`develops, manufactures, markets, and sells electrical connector products. (Id. 1) l7.)
`
`
`
`2.
`
`Respondents
`
`a)
`
`Robert Bosch GmbH
`
`Robert Bosch GmbH is a German corporation, with its principal place ofbusiness at Baden-
`
`Wuerttemberg, Germany (Id. at 11 19.) It is the parent company of Bosch Automotive Products
`
`(Suzhou) Co., Ltd.; Robert Bosch LLC; Robert Bosch, Sistemas Automotrices, SA. de C.V.; and
`
`Robert Bosch Ltda. (Id. at 11 20.)
`
`b)
`
`Robert Bosch LLC
`
`Robert Bosch LLC is a limited liability company that is incorporated in Delaware, with a
`
`principal place of business in Broadview, Illinois. (Id at 1] 22.)
`
`c)
`
`Bosch Automotive Products (Suzhou) Co., Ltd.
`
`Bosch Automotive Products (Suzhou) Co., Ltd. is a Chinese company with its principal '
`
`place of business at 126 Su Hong Xi Road, Suzhou, Jiangsu, 215021, PR. China. (Id. at 1] 21.)
`
`d)
`
`Robert Bosch, Sistemas Automotrices, SA. de CV.
`
`Robert Bosch, Sistemas Automotrices, SA. de CV.
`
`is a Mexican company with its
`
`principal place of business in Chihuahua, Mexico. (Id. at fl 23.)
`
`e) Foxconn Interconnect Technology, Ltd.
`
`Foxconn Interconnect Technology, Ltd. (“Foxconn”) is a Taiwanese corporation, with its
`
`principal place of business in New Taipei City, Taiwan. (Id. at 1] 27.)
`
`1)
`
`Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. Ltd.
`
`Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. Ltd. (“Hon Hai”) is a Taiwanese corporation, with its
`principal place of business in New Taipei City, Taiwan. (Id. at 11 25.) Hon Hai is the parent
`
`corporation of Foxconn. (Id. at 11 26.)
`
`
`
`C.
`
`Products at Issue
`
`1.
`
`The Accused Products
`
`JST accuses “Bosch’s Global A [Body Control Modules], which include at least part
`
`numbers 13594564 and 13594587.” (CIB at 3.) JST alleges that these Body Control Modules
`
`(“BCMs”) incorporate either a Foxconn 183—Way BCM head connector or a TB Connectivity 183-
`
`Way BCM Header. (Id)
`
`2.
`
`The Domestic Industry Products
`
`JST asserts that its RAD connector model S44B—RAD-1AK, JST Part No. TP44—RAD—
`
`lAK (“the RAD connector”) and HIT2 Connector model SlS3B—HIT2H-01A (“the HIT2
`
`Connector”) practice at least one claim of the asserted patent. (CIB at 4-5.)
`
`II.
`
`JURISDICTION AND IMPORTATION
`
`A.
`
`Subject Matter Jurisdiction
`
`Section 337 confers subject matter jurisdiction on the Commission to investigate, and if
`
`appropriate,
`
`to provide a remedy for, unfair acts and unfair methods of competition in the
`
`importation, the sale for importation, or the sale after importation of articles into the United States.
`
`See 19 U.S.C. §§ l337(a)(l)(B) and (a)(2). JST filed a complaint alleging a violation of this
`
`subsection. Accordingly, the Commission has subject matter jurisdiction over this Investigation
`
`under section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930. Amgen, Inc. v. US. Int ’1 Trade Comm ’n, 902 F.2d
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`1532, 1536 (Fed. Cir. 1990).
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`
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`B.
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`Personal Jurisdiction
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`Respondents have appeared and participated in this Investigation. The Commission
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`therefore has personal jurisdiction over Respondents. See, e.g., Certain Optical Disk Controller
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`Chips & Chipsets & Prods. Containing Same, Including DVD Players & PC Optical Storage
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`Devices, Inv. No. 337-TA—506, Initial Determination at 4-5 (May 16, 2005) (unreviewed in
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`relevant part).
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`C.
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`In Rem Jurisdiction
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`JST argues: “The Commission has in rem jurisdiction over the Accused Products because
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`they were imported into the‘U.S.” (CIB at 5.) JST explains: “Ongoing importation is irrelevant.
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`The Accused Products have been (and likely still are) imported, sold for importation, and sold after
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`importation.” (CRB at 1-2.) 0
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`Respondents write: “The undisputed evidence proves that the accused product is no longer
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`imported, sold for importation, or sold after importation.” (RIB at 2.) Respondents explain:
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`“[W]hen there is no importation of ‘articles’ there can be no unfair act, and there is nothing for the
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`Commission to remedy.” (Id. (quoting ClearCorrect Operating, LLC v. Int ’1 Trade Comm ’n, 810
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`F.3d 1283, 1289—90 (Fed. Cir. 2015).)
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`The undersigned agrees with JST. It is undisputed that the Accused Products were imported
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`into the United States,
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`(CX—0624C at 5317-20 (testifying that Foxconn shipped engineering
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`samples to the United States); RX—208C at Q/A 27-28 (testifying that Robert Bosch LLC imports
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`the Foxconn l83—Way BCM header connector into the United States); RX-209C at Q/A 4, 72, 74-
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`75, 77—78 (testimony indicating that Robert Bosch, Sistemas Automatrices, SA. de CV
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`incorporates the Foxconn 183—Way BCM header connector and the TEC 183—Way BCM Header
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`into Bosch’s Global A BCMs and imports the BCMs into the United States).) “A complainant need
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`
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`only prove importation of a single accused product to satisfy the importation element.” Certain
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`Purple Protective Gloves, Inv. No. 337—TA—500, Order No. 17 at 5 (Sept. 23, 2004) (unreviewed
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`initial determination); see also Certain Trolley Wheel Assemblies, Inv. N0. 337-TA-l6l, View of
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`the Commission at 6 (U.S.I.T.C. Aug. 29