Further to our August 8, 2011 post, on August 23, 2011, ALJ Theodore R. Essex issued Order No. 7: Setting the Procedural Schedule in Certain Protective Cases and Components Thereof (Inv. No. 337-TA-780).

Complainant Otter Products LLC, together with several respondents, including Alibaba.com Hong Kong Ltd. (“Alibaba”) submitted a joint proposed procedural schedule.  Alibaba additionally submitted alternative dates for certain submissions, without providing argument why it preferred its alternative dates to those in the joint proposed procedural schedule.  According to the Order, ALJ Essex did not adopt any alternative dates submitted by Alibaba and set the procedural schedule for the investigation and indicated that the evidentiary hearing will commence on April 6, 2012.