On December 11, 2015, ALJ MaryJoan McNamara issued Order No. 2 in Certain Aquarium Fittings and Parts Thereof (Inv. No. 337-TA-974).

By way of background, this investigation is based on a November 6, 2015 complaint filed by Hydor USA Inc. of Sacramento, California alleging violation of Section 337 in the importation into the U.S. and sale of certain aquarium fittings and parts thereof that infringe one or more claims of U.S. Patent No. 8,191,846.  See our November 6, 2015 and December 8, 2015 posts for more details on the complaint and Notice of Investigation respectively.

According to Order No. 2, ALJ McNamara set April 11, 2017 as the target date for completing the investigation (which is approximately sixteen months after institution of the investigation).  In addition, ALJ McNamara directed the parties to submit discovery statements and proposed procedural schedules by January 11, 2016.  ALJ McNamara further noted that the evidentiary hearing in this investigation will commence on September 1, 2016 and any final initial determination should be filed no later than December 9, 2016.  Lastly, Order No. 2 includes ALJ McNamara's ground rules which will govern the investigation.