On December 29, 2010, the U.S. International Trade Commission issued a press release announcing that it voted to institute an investigation of Certain Handbags, Luggage, Accessories, and Packaging Thereof (Inv. No. 337-TA-754).

The investigation is based on a December 3, 2010 complaint and supplemental materials filed by Louis Vuitton Malletier S.A. of France and Louis Vuitton U.S. Manufacturing, Inc. of San Dimas, California alleging violation of Section 337 in the importation into the U.S. and sale of certain handbags, luggage, accessories and packaging thereof that infringe U.S. Trademark Registration Nos. 297,594; 1,643,625; 1,653,663; 1,875,198; 2,773,107; 2,177,828; 2,181,753; and 1,519,828.  See our December 8, 2010 post for more details.

According to the Notice of Investigation, the ITC has identified the following entities as respondents in this investigation:

• T &T Handbag Industrial Co., Ltd., of China;
• Sanjiu Leather Co., Ltd. of China;
• Meada Corporation (d/b/a Diophy International) of El Monte, California;
• Pacpro, Inc., of El Monte, California;
• Jianyong Zheng (a/k/a Jiu Gao Zheng, Jiu An Zheng, Jian Yong Zheng, Peter Zheng) of Arcadia, California;
• Alice Bei Wang (a/k/a Alice B. Wang) of Arcadia, California;
• Trendy Creations, Inc., of Chatsworth, California;
• The Inspired Bagger of Endicott Lane, Dallas, Texas;
• House of Bags of Los Angeles, California;
• Ronett Trading, Inc. (d/b/a Ronett Wholesale & Import) of New York, New York;
• EZ Shine Group, Inc. of New York, New York;
• Master of Handbags of Los Angeles, California;
• Choicehandbag.com, Inc. (d/b/a Choice Handbags) of Los Angeles, California; and
• Rasul Enterprises, LLC (d/b/a The Handbag Warehouse) of Dallas, Texas

Further, Erin Joffre of the Office of Unfair Import Investigations is identified in the Notice of Investigation as the Investigative Attorney assigned to handle this investigation.

Lastly, Chief ALJ Paul J. Luckern issued a notice indicating that he will be the presiding Administrative Law Judge in this investigation.