08
May
By Eric Schweibenz
On May 6, 2009, the U.S. International Trade Commission instituted an investigation of Certain Lighting Control Devices Including Dimmer Switches and Parts Thereof (337-TA-676). 

The investigation is based on the April 7, 2009 complaint filed by Lutron Electronics Co., Inc. of Coopersburg, Pennsylvania.  As we explained in our April 9 post, the complaint alleges that Universal Smart Electric Corp. (“USE”) of Irvine, California unlawfully imports into the U.S., sells for importation, and/or sells within the U.S. after importation certain lighting control devices, including dimmer switches and/or switches and parts thereof that infringe certain claims of U.S. Patent Nos. 5,637,930 and 5,248,919, in addition to U.S. Trademark Reg. No. 3,061,804.

Chief ALJ Luckern issued a notice indicating that ALJ Robert K Rogers, Jr. will handle this investigation.

According to the Notice of Investigation, Benjamin Levi of the Office of Unfair Import Investigations is the Investigative Attorney assigned to handle this investigation.

On May 6, 2009, ALJ Rogers issued Order No. 1 (Protective Order); Order No. 2 (Ground Rules); and Order No. 3 (Setting Pre-Hearing Conference).  According to Order No. 3, a pre-hearing conference in this matter will be held on May 20, 2009.