On March 31, 2009, the U.S. International Trade Commission voted to institute an investigation of Certain Light Emitting Diode Chips, Laser Diode Chips and Products Containing Same (337-TA-674). 

The investigation is based on a March 2, 2009 complaint filed by Professor Gertrude Rothschild of Columbia University in New York.  As we explained in our March 4 post, the complaint alleges that the following companies unlawfully import into the U.S., sell for importation, and sell within the U.S. after importation certain light emitting diode (LED) chips, laser diode chips and products containing those devices that infringe claims 10, 12, 13, and 16 of U.S. Patent No. 5,252,499:

• Chi Mei Lighting Technology Corp. of Taiwan;
• Tekcore Co., Ltd. of Taiwan;
• Toyolite Technologies Corp. of Taiwan;
• Tyntek Corporation of Taiwan;
• Visual Photonics Epitaxy Co., Ltd. of Taiwan; and
• Xiamen Sanan Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd. of China.

On March 31, 2009, Chief ALJ Luckern issued a notice indicating that he will handle this investigation. 

Also, according to the Notice of Investigation, Juan Cockburn of the Office of Unfair Import Investigations is the Investigative Attorney assigned to handle this investigation.