Further to our July 6, 2012 and August 14, 2012 posts, on September 13, 2012, ALJ Thomas B. Pender issued Order No. 4 in Certain Integrated Circuit Packages Provided With Multiple Heat-Conducting Paths and Products Containing Same (Inv. No. 337-TA-851).

In the Order, ALJ Pender set the procedural schedule for the investigation and included provisions for the early exchange of claim construction terms and proposed constructions.  ALJ Pender further indicated that the evidentiary hearing will commence on March 4, 2013, any final initial determination will issue no later than July 5, 2013, and the target date for completion of the investigation is November 5, 2013 (which is approximately 16 months after institution of the investigation).