18
Feb
By John Presper
Further to our January 10, 2014 post, on February 12, 2014, ALJ Theodore R. Essex issued Order No. 4 in Certain Acousto-Magnetic Electronic Article Surveillance Systems, Components Thereof, and Products Containing Same (Inv. No. 337-TA-904).

By way of background, the investigation is based on a December 11, 2013 complaint and December 23, 2013 letter supplementing the complaint filed by Tyco Fire & Security GmbH of Switzerland, Sensormatic Electronics, LLC of Boca Raton, Florida, and Tyco Integrated Security, LLC of Boca Raton, Florida alleging violations of Section 337 in the importation into the U.S. and sale of certain acousto-magnetic electronic article surveillance devices that infringe one or more claims of U.S. Patent Nos. 5,729,200 and 6,181,245.  See our December 13, 2013 post for more details on the complaint.  According to the Notice of Investigation, the Commission has identified Ningbo Signatronic Technologies, Ltd. of China, All-Tag Security Americas, Inc. of Boca Raton, Florida, All-Tag Security Hong Kong Co. Ltd. of Hong Kong, All-Tag Europe SPRL of Belgium, All-Tag Security UK, Ltd. of the United Kingdom, Best Security Industries of Delray Beach, Florida, and Signatronic Corporation of Boca Raton, Florida as respondents in the investigation.  See our January 10, 2014 post for more details on the Notice of Investigation.

In the Order, ALJ Essex set April 15, 2015 as the target date for completing the investigation (which is approximately fifteen months after institution of the investigation).  In addition, ALJ Essex directed the parties to submit proposed procedural schedules by February 24, 2014.  ALJ Essex further noted that the evidentiary hearing in this investigation will commence on August 11, 2014, for purposes of preparing proposed procedural schedules.