In the Matter of Certain Automotive Measuring Devices, Products Containing Same, and Bezels for Such Devices; Notice of Commission Decision Not To Review Two Initial Determinations Terminating the Investigation as to Respondents Old World Industries, Inc., Splitfire International, Inc., Blitz Co., Ltd., and Blitz North America, Inc. on the Basis of Settlement Agreements and Consent Orders; Issuance of Consent Orders

AGENCY:

U.S. International Trade Commission.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

Notice is hereby given that the U.S. International Trade Commission has determined not to review two initial determinations (“IDs”) issued by the presiding administrative law judge (“ALJ”) terminating the above-captioned investigation as to respondents Old World Industries, Inc. and SplitFire International, Inc. (collectively, “OldWorld/Splitfire”), and Blitz Co., Ltd. and Blitz North America, Inc. (collectively, “Blitz”) on the basis of consent orders.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Michael Liberman, Esq., Office of the General Counsel, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street, SW., Washington, DC 20436, telephone (202) 205-3115. Copies of the ALJ's ID and all other nonconfidential documents filed in connection with this investigation are or will be available for inspection during official business hours (8:45 a.m. to 5:15 p.m.) in the Office of the Secretary, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street, SW., Washington, DC 20436, telephone (202) 205-2000. Hearing-impaired persons are advised that information on this matter can be obtained by contacting the Commission's TDD terminal on (202) 205-1810. General information concerning the Commission may also be obtained by accessing its Internet server ( http://www.usitc.gov ). The public record for this investigation may be viewed on the Commission's electronic docket (EDIS) at http://edis.usitc.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Commission issued a notice of investigation dated June 16, 2003, naming Auto Meter Products, Inc. (“Auto Meter”) of Sycamore, Illinois, as the complainant and several companies as respondents. On June 20, 2003, the notice of investigation was published in the Federal Register. 68 FR 37023. The complaint alleged violations of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 in the importation and sale of certain automotive measuring devices, products containing same, and bezels for such devices, by reason of infringement of U.S. Registered Trademark Nos. 1,732,643 and 1,497,472, and U.S. Supplemental Register No. 1,903908, and infringement of the complainant's trade dress. Subsequently, seven more firms were added as respondents based on two separate motions filed by complainant Auto Meter. The investigation was terminated as to five respondents on the basis of consent orders.

On July 14, 2004, the ALJ issued two IDs (Orders Nos. 34 and 35) terminating the investigation as to respondents OldWorld/Splitfire and Blitz on the basis of settlement agreements and consent orders. The Commission investigative attorney filed responses in support of each of the joint motions. No petitions for review of the IDs were filed.

The authority for the Commission's determination is contained in section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (19 U.S.C. 1337), and in section 210.42 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (19 CFR 210.42).