16
Sep
By Eric Schweibenz
On September 16, 2013, the U.S. International Trade Commission issued a press release announcing their vote to institute an investigation of Certain Tires and Products Containing Same (Inv. No. 337-TA-894).

The investigation is based on an August 14, 2013 complaint filed by Toyo Tire & Rubber Co., Ltd. of Japan, Toyo Tire Holdings of Americas Inc. of Cypress, California, Toyo Tire U.S.A. Corp. of Cypress, California, Nitto Tire U.S.A. Inc. of Cypress, California, and Toyo Tire North America Manufacturing Inc. of White, Georgia alleging violation of Section 337 in the importation into the U.S. and sale of certain tires that infringe one or more claims of U.S. Design Patent Nos. D487,424, D610,975, D610,976, D610,977, D615,031, D626,913, D458,214, and D653,200.  See our August 15, 2013 post for more details on the complaint.

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

  • Hong Kong Tri-Ace Tire Co., Ltd. of China

  • Weifang Shunfuchang Rubber & Plastic Co., Ltd. of China

  • Doublestar Dong Feng Tyre Co., Ltd. of China

  • Shandong Yongtai Chemical Group Co., Ltd. of China

  • MHT Luxury Alloys of Rancho Dominguez, California

  • Wheel Warehouse, Inc. of Anaheim, California

  • Shandong Linglong Tyre Co., Ltd. of China

  • Dunlap & Kyle Company, Inc. d/b/a Gateway Tire and Service of Batesville, Mississippi

  • Unicorn Tire Corp. of Memphis, Tennessee

  • West KY Customs, LLC of Benton, Kentucky

  • Svizz-One Corporation Ltd. of Thailand

  • South China Tire and Rubber Co., Ltd. of China

  • American Omni Trading Co, LLC of Houston, Texas

  • Tire & Wheel Master, Inc. of Stockton, California

  • Simple Tire of Cookeville, Tennessee

  • WTD Inc. of Cerritos, California

  • Guangzhou South China Tire & Rubber Co., Ltd. of China

  • Turbo Wholesale Tires, Inc. of Irwindale, California

  • TireCrawler.com of Downey, California

  • Lexani Tires Worldwide, Inc. of Irwindale, California

  • Vittore Wheel & Tire of Asheboro, North Carolina

  • RTM Wheel & Tire of Asheboro, North Carolina


Lastly, Chief ALJ Charles E. Bullock issued a notice indicating that he will be the presiding Administrative Law Judge in this investigation.