Section 337 Actions Before the ITC: Latest Forum of Choice for Efficient Resolution

Pursuing and Defending IP Litigation Before the International Trade Commission

Recording of a 90-minute CLE teleconference with Q&A


Conducted on Thursday, October 23, 2008
Recorded event now available


Description

The International Trade Commission (ITC) is becoming a preferred forum for litigating intellectual property disputes because it allows IP owners to take advantage of often-overlooked trade laws to protect their valuable rights.

The ITC has the power to levy the strong deterrent of excluding a foreign infringer from the American market. Further, since the Supreme Court’s ruling in eBay v. MercExchange, it is more difficult to obtain injunctive relief for patent infringement in federal court.

A clear understanding of the risks and rewards of IP litigation before the ITC is critically important as globalization of production, distribution and consumption of goods continues to increase.

Listen as our authoritative panel reviews the ITC and its authority — and how to strategically manage a Section 337 action before, during and after litigation.

Outline

  1. Advantages and disadvantages of litigation before the ITC
    1. Using the ITC as a strategic weapon (advantages to litigating at the ITC)
    2. Potential disadvantages to litigating at the ITC
  2. § 337 investigation/action
    1. Brief overview of § 337 of the Tariff Act
    2. Complaint
    3. Considerations for respondents pre-institution of the investigation
    4. Investigation
    5. Discovery
    6. Hearing before ALJ (like trial)
    7. ALJ determination, can be appealed to ITC commissioners
    8. Appeal of final determination to Federal Circuit
  3. Limitations
  4. Customs enforcement of § 337 orders
    1. Exclusion orders
    2. Customs instructions to ports
    3. Certification
    4. Communication with Customs
    5. Tracking sources of potentially infringing goods

Benefits

The panel will review these and other key questions:

  • What are the strategic advantages — and disadvantages — for IP owners of pursuing litigation before the ITC?
  • What factors should counsel consider before pursuing a Section 337 action before the ITC?
  • What are the best practices to follow after deciding to pursue a Section 337 action?
  • How does U.S. Customs enforce ITC orders?

Following the speaker presentations, you'll have an opportunity to get answers to your specific questions during the interactive Q&A.

Faculty

Barbara A. Murphy, Member
Miller & Chevalier, Washington, D.C.

She has over 25 years of experience in Section 337, antidumping and customs. She handles all aspects of Section 337 investigations from filing of complaints through appellate review. She represents companies pursuing and defending against Sect. 337 relief in cases involving IP infringement, false advertising, and trade secret misappropriation and gray market goods.

Jeffrey R. Whieldon, Of Counsel
Fish & Richardson, Washington, D.C.

He focuses on patent litigation and Section 337 investigations before the ITC. He has actively worked on close to a dozen 337 investigations, representing complainants or respondents. Previously, he served as Supervisory Attorney, Office of Unfair Import Investigations for the ITC (1988-2006), where he supervised over 125 Section 337 investigations, 50 of which went to trial.

Arthur Wineburg, Partner
Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld, Washington, D.C.

He focuses on intellectual property protection, and handles patent, trade secrets and other IP and trade regulation disputes in federal courts and at the U.S. International Trade Commission. From 1982-87 he served as director at the U.S. ITC, where he was responsible for the litigation of all Section 337 investigations and for assisting U.S. industries in seeking trade remedies.

Ordering

Online CLE

Includes audio streaming of full program plus handouts (available 24 hours after live seminar).

CLE: Pre-approved for participatory or non-traditional/alternate format credit in: CA, HI*, NY*, WV*. Pre-approved for self-study credit in: AK, AZ, MO, MT, TX, VT, WA.
Upon request, also available in: CO, CT*, FL, GA, ID, KY, LA, ME, NC, ND, NE, NH, NM, NV, OR*, SC, TN, UT, WI*, WY. If you are applying for credit in one of these states, make sure to select those states when placing your order.
(*Indicates that Strafford must report attendance.)

Online CLE Audio $149.00
Available 24 hours after the live event

How does this work?


Recorded Event

Includes full event recording plus handouts (available after live seminar).

CLE: Pre-approved for self-study credit in: AK, AZ, CA, CT, HI, MO, MT, NY, TX, VT, WA, WV. Upon request, self-study credit is also available in: CO, FL, GA, ID, KY, ME, ND, NE, NH, NM, NV, OR, UT, WI, WY. If you are applying for self-study credit in one of these states, contact Strafford CLE at 1-800-926-7926 ext. 35 or CLE@straffordpub.com.

MP3 Download (Audio Only) $49.00
Available 24 hours after the live event

How does this work?

CD $49.00 plus $9.45 S&H
Available ten business days after the live event

Program Materials

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Program Materials

Requires Adobe Reader 8 or later. Download Acrobat FREE.

CLE Credit

Strafford's live seminars qualify for CLE in every state that accredits webinars. They offer you a high quality, cost effective, and convenient CLE option, with no lost travel time or expenses.

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Customer Reviews

Very informative — one of the best run programs in a plethora of on-line offerings.

Jeff Michelman

Stinson Morrison Hecker

Convenient, interesting and informative. Strafford brought together good subject matter experts with practical knowledge.

Thom Cope

Udall Law Firm

The speakers were very well informed and knowledgeable.

Geoffrey Peck

Morrison & Foerster

All of the speakers had a wide range of knowledge.

Kimberly Hayes

General Mills

The webinar provided good practical advice.

Peter Bado

Thrivent Financial

Intellectual Property Law Advisory Board

Stephen R. Baird

Shareholder

Winthrop & Weinstine

Charles S. Baker

Partner

Fulbright & Jaworski

David S. Bloch

Partner

Winston & Strawn

Hung H. Bui

Partner

Antonelli Terry Stout & Kraus

Ian N. Feinberg

Partner

Mayer Brown

Anthony J. Fitzpatrick

Partner

Duane Morris

Craig P. Opperman

Partner

Reed Smith

David Segal

Partner

Gibson Dunn & Crutcher

Jeffrey R. Seul

Partner

Holland + Knight

Astrid R. Spain

Partner

McDermott Will & Emery

Mark P. Wine

Partner

Orrick