United States International Trade Commission, Year in Review: FY 2008

摘要

The U.S. International Trade Commission continued to manage a heavy caseload during fiscal year 2008, as well as to lay the groundwork for new information technology tools that will debut in early fiscal year 2009. It was a busy and exciting year as the Commission grappled with space and resource constraints that complicated its efforts to address a still growing level of intellectual property infringement cases being filed under section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930. The Commission's section 337 investigation caseload continued to increase during the year, extending the trend of recent years. The Commission had 88 active section 337 proceedings underway during FY 2008, including 43 new investigations and 7 new ancillary proceedings based on previously concluded section 337 investigations. Two new administrative law judges, Theodore R. Essex and Robert K. Rogers, joined the USITC during the year, and the Commission was preparing to welcome a sixth judge early in FY 2009. During FY 2008, the Commission also named Judge Paul J. Luckern to serve as Chief Administrative Law Judge. In addition to hiring additional judges to handle the growing caseload, the Commission explored ways to find the additional courtroom space it requires, including temporary arrangements with area courts and potential long-term space acquisition within the building it occupies. Filings under title VII of the Tariff Act of 1930 (antidumping and countervailing duty investigations) also rose during FY 2008, with 26 new title VII investigations filed and 22 five-year (sunset) reviews instituted. Finally, a new Chairman and Vice Chairman took the helm during FY 2008. Shara L. Aranoff and Daniel R. Pearson were designated by the President to serve as Chairman and Vice Chairman of the USITC, respectively, from June 17, 2008, to June 16, 2010.