On November 17, 2011, the U.S. International Trade Commission issued a press release announcing that it voted to institute an investigation of Certain Automotive GPS Navigation Systems, Components Thereof, and Products Containing Same (Inv. No. 337-TA-814).

The investigation is based on an October 21, 2011 complaint and a November 8, 2011 letter supplementing the complaint filed by Beacon Navigation GmbH of Switzerland alleging violation of Section 337 in the importation into the U.S. and sale of certain automotive GPS navigation systems, components thereof, and products containing same that infringe one or more claims of U.S. Patent Nos. 6,374,180, 6,178,380, 6,029,111, and 5,862,511.  See our October 25, 2011 post for more details.

According to the Notice of Investigation, the ITC has identified the following entities as the respondents in this investigation:

  • Audi AG of Germany Audi of America, Inc. of Auburn Hills, Michigan
  • Audi of America, LLC of Herndon, Virginia
  • Bayerische Motoren Werke AG of Germany
  • BMW of North America, LLC of Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey
  • BMW Manufacturing Co., LLC of Greer, South Carolina
  • Chrysler Group LLC of Auburn Hills, Michigan
  • Ford Motor Company of Dearborn, Michigan
  • General Motors Company of Detroit, Michigan
  • Honda Motor Co., Ltd. of Japan
  • Honda North America, Inc. of Torrance, California
  • American Honda Motor Co., Inc. of Torrance, California
  • Honda Manufacturing of Alabama, LLC of Lincoln, Alabama
  • Honda Manufacturing of Indiana, LLC of Greensburg, Indiana
  • Honda of America
  • Mfg., Inc. of Marysville, Ohio
  • Hyundai Motor Company of South Korea
  • Hyundai Motor America of Fountain Valley, California
  • Huyndai Motor Manufacturing Alabama, LLC of Montgomery, Alabama
  • Kia Motors Corp. of South Korea
  • Kia Motors America, Inc. of Irvine, California
  • Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia, Inc. of West Point, Georgia
  • Mazda Motor Corporation of Japan
  • Mazda Motor of America, Inc. of Irvine, California
  • Daimler AG of Germany
  • Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC of Montvale, New Jersey
  • Mercedes-Benz U.S. International, Inc. of Vance, Alabama
  • Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. of Japan
  • Nissan North America, Inc. of Franklin, Tennessee
  • Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG of Germany
  • Porsche Cars North America, Inc. of Atlanta, Georgia
  • Saab Automobile AB of Sweden
  • Saab Cars North America, Inc. of Royal Oak, Michigan
  • Suzuki Motor Corporation of Japan
  • American Suzuki Motor Corporation of Brea, California
  • Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC of Mahwah, New Jersey
  • Jaguar Cars Limited of the United Kingdom
  • Land Rover of the United Kingdom
  • Toyota Motor Corporation of Japan
  • Toyota Motor North America, inc. of Torrance, California
  • Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. of Torrance, California
  • Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc. of Erlanger, Kentucky
  • Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Indiana, Inc. of Princeton, Indiana
  • Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky, Inc. of Georgetown, Kentucky
  • Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Mississippi, Inc. of Blue Springs, Mississippi
  • Volkswagen AG of Germany
  • Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. of Herndon, Virginia
  • Volkswagen Group of America Chattanooga Operations, LLC of Herndon, Virginia
  • Volvo Car Corporation of Sweden
  • Volvo Cars of North America, LLC

Further, Chief ALJ Charles E. Bullock issued a notice indicating that Thomas B. Pender will be the presiding Administrative Law Judge in this investigation.