On February 1, 2011, the U.S. International Trade Commission issued a press release announcing that it voted to institute an investigation of Certain Birthing Simulators and Associated Systems (Inv. No. 337-TA-759).

The investigation is based on a December 30, 2010 complaint filed by Gaumard Scientific Company of Miami, Florida alleging violations of Section 337 in the importation into the U.S. and sale of certain birthing simulators and associated systems that infringe U.S. Patent Nos. 6,503,087 and 7,114,954.  See our January 4, 2011 post for more details.

 According to the Notice of Investigation, the ITC has identified Shanghai Honglian Medical Instrument Development Co., Ltd. (d/b/a General Doctor) of China and Shanghai Evenk International Trading Co., Ltd. of China as respondents in this investigation.

In addition, Aarti Shah 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 Carl C. Charneski will be the presiding Administrative Law Judge in this investigation.