The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) has voted to institute an investigation of coupler devices for power supply facilities, components thereof, and products containing same. The products at issue in this investigation are couplers that connect a computer power supply to both new and older generation computer components having different connector pin configurations.

The investigation is based on a complaint filed by Topower Computer Industrial Co., Ltd., of Taiwan, on December 13, 2006. A letter supplementing the complaint was filed on January 9, 2007. The complaint alleges violations of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 in the importation into the United States, the sale for importation, and the sale within the United States after importation of certain coupler devices for power supply facilities, components thereof, and products containing same that infringe a patent owned by Topower. The complainant requests that the ITC issue a permanent general exclusion order and permanent cease and desist orders.

The ITC has identified the following as respondents in this investigation:

Xion/Axpertec Inc. of Walnut, CA;
Thermaltake Technology, Inc., USA of City of Industry, CA;
Thermaltake Technology Co., Ltd., Taiwan of Taiwan;
Aspire/Apevia Int’l Corp. of City of Industry, CA;
MGE Company, USA of City of Industry, CA;
Raidcom Technology Inc., Corporation of City of Industry, CA;
Codegen Technology Co., Ltd. of City of Industry, CA;
Leadman Electronic Co., Ltd. of City of Industry, CA;
Hipro Electronics Co., Ltd., of City of Industry, CA;
Cooler Master Inc., USA of Ontario, CA;
Cooler Master Co., Ltd., Taiwan of Taiwan;
Broadway Com Corp. of City of Industry, CA;
JPAC Computer, Inc. of City of Industry, CA;
Silent Power Electronics, GmbH of Germany;
Linkworld Electronics Corporation of Brea, CA;
Acbel Polytech Inc. of Morrisville, NC;
HEC Group, Compucase Enterprise, USA of City of Industry, CA;
HEC Group, Compucase Enterprise, Taiwan of Taiwan;
Atrix Inc. of El Monte, CA;
ASYS of City of Industry, CA;
Logisys Computer Inc. of Pomona, CA;
Best Buy Enterprise Services, Inc. of South Richfield, MN;
Sunbeam Company of City of Industry, CA;
Sirtec International Co., Ltd. of Orange, CA;
Enhance Electronics of Cerritos, CA;
Super Flower Computer Inc. of Taiwan;
Taiwan Youngyear Electonics Co., Ltd. of Taiwan;
Sun Pro Electronics Co., Ltd. of China;
Unitek Electronics Co., Ltd. of China; and
Shenzhen Chi Yuan Industrial Co., Ltd. of China.
By instituting this investigation (337-TA-590), the ITC has not yet made any decision on the merits of the case. The case will be referred to the Honorable Robert L. Barton, Jr., an ITC administrative law judge, who will schedule and hold an evidentiary hearing. Judge Barton 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 ITC will make a final determination in the investigation at the earliest practicable time. Within 45 days after institution of the investigation, the ITC will set a target date for completing the investigation. ITC 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.