The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) voted to institute an investigation of certain firearm disassembly tongs. The products at issue in the investigation are described in the Commission’s notice of investigation.
The investigation is based on a complaint filed by GTUL LLC of Cedar Point, NC, on February 15, 2024. An amended complaint was filed on April 12, 2024, and supplemented on April 15, 16, and 26, 2024. The amended complaint alleges violations of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 in the importation into the United States and sale of certain firearm disassembly tongs that infringe a patent asserted by the complainant. The complainant requests that the USITC issue a general exclusion order, or in the alternative a limited exclusion order, and cease and desist orders.
The USITC has identified the following respondents in this investigation:
OFFROADCALI of Livermore, CA,
ROADRUNNERMATERIALS SPR GROUP INC, of Livermore, CA,
DRP-California Mission Trading Company, Inc. of Livermore, CA,
Eurasiaparts Automotive Parts of Temecula, CA,
Brementech of Antioch, CA, and
MTCPARTS.COM of Livermore, CA.
By instituting this investigation (337-TA-1401), the USITC has not yet made any decision on the merits of the case. The USITC’s Chief Administrative Law Judge will assign the case to one of the USITC’s administrative law judges (ALJ), who will schedule and hold an evidentiary hearing. The ALJ will make an initial determination as to whether there is a violation of section 337; that initial determination is subject to review by the Commission.
The USITC will make a final determination in the investigation at the earliest practicable time. Within 45 days after institution of the investigation, the USITC will set a target date for completing the investigation. USITC remedial orders in section 337 cases are effective when issued and become final 60 days after issuance unless disapproved for policy reasons by the U.S. Trade Representative within that 60-day period.
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https://www.usitc.gov/press_room/news_release/2024/er0514_65169.htm
