The United States 337 survey directed LED products in China to hold back the fight against the four manufacturers

The United States 337 survey this year, the fifth attack on Chinese enterprises, and this goal is the LED industry.

The day before, the United States Gertrude Neumark Rothschild, a retired professor of Columbia University, to the United States International Trade Commission (ITC) filed charges, the global 30 enterprises in the production of beauty and beauty of the light emitting diode (LED) and sales of laser products infringed 1 of its patents (Patent No.: 5252499), the applicant asked the ITC to start the "337 investigation" and, for the general exclusion order and injunction, China's total of 4 companies involved in Guangdong.

Yesterday, the "First Financial Daily" from the Chinese optical photonics Optoelectronics Industry Association Branch (hereinafter referred to as "photoelectric branch") and the national semiconductor lighting engineering research and Industry Alliance (hereinafter referred to as the semiconductor industry association ") was informed that in March 20th, the United States formally opened ITC, including China 4 LED manufacturers worldwide, 30 companies have received ITC sent a complaint.

"Must reply within 20 days, otherwise it will be considered as a waiver. The semiconductor industry association director Geng Bo said, it is not only related to the China 4 LED enterprises, but also may endanger the whole China LED industry, due to the respondent is expensive, so the semiconductor industry association is the organization and coordination, determine the responding program and responding strategy, the respondent may more baotuan.

Strike range

"First Financial Daily" in the ITC website, the companies involved in the "337 investigation" of the range is very large, including well-known brands Motorola, NOKIA, LG electronics, Samsung, SONY, SHARP, Sony Ericsson, Toshiba and other international in the list, and Chinese 4 manufacturers are supable optoelectronics, photonics, Guangzhou. Hung lee Lei Chau photoelectron and.

"First Financial Daily" from the Guangzhou Hongli photoelectron company informed the relevant person in charge, Guangzhou Hongli opto electronic company has been active in dealing with the matter, and will definitely respond.

The survey deadline is within 45 days after the start of the survey. If the judgment was not rejected by the U.S. trade representative office within 60 days, the ITC decision will be the final decision.

"In fact, we doubt the real purpose of the investigation. Geng Bo pointed out that although the survey involves a large number of foreign large enterprises, the size of the enterprise involved in the country is not large, the goal is not directed at the domestic large-scale enterprises and upstream chip manufacturers. Previously, PHILPS, OSRAM, TOYOTA, CREE and arias (Nichia) five of the world's largest LED companies have reached a settlement on the patent case.

The ability of responding to the Chinese 4 companies is limited, if lost, such as the United States ITC final release of our products in general exclusion order in the patent validity period, LED products China any production and contains light-emitting diodes downstream products will be a total ban on exports to the United states.

The investigation on the domestic light-emitting diode industry and downstream industry is very huge impact. Photoelectric branch secretary general Hu Aihua said that the Ministry of Commerce attaches great importance to the matter, an urgent note to the relevant enterprises and industry associations, pointing out that this is the fifth year since the Chinese enterprises suffered from the investigation of the application of the "337".

According to the Ministry of Commerce statistics, in 2007 China's exports to the United States about $350 million, an increase of 53.9%, involving China's light-emitting diode exports to the u.s.. Dalian Lu Ming, Foshan nationstar, Hebei leader and Shenzhen Fangda Guoke photoelectric domestic first-line LED manufacturers.

Hold back

As the "337" case itself has the characteristics of exclusive trade, if not actively respond, the consequences will be very serious. In addition to China's LED production enterprises in the United States lost market share, may also affect exports to Europe, South America and other places, will lose tens of billions of dollars of international LED product market.

Time is very tight, and the respondent is too expensive. Hu Aihua said, from the previous 337 investigation of the case, the general response costs are $6 million, so the Chinese side to prepare at least $3 million of funds.

It is understood that from the beginning of March, Geng Bo on behalf of the semiconductor industry association lobbied the domestic LED enterprises to actively respond, in March 18th the semiconductor industry association also specially organized a "337 investigation" strategy seminar.

Participants revealed that the domestic LED business executives at the meeting to take a positive attitude to the incident, to participate in joint action, and said it would pay to work together to solve the huge litigation costs. At the same time recommended by the semiconductor industry alliance led by the organization to raise money, and for the support of the government, we must win this lawsuit.

In addition, participants also believe that the LED industry suffered 337 survey is just the beginning, with the rapid development of China's LED industry, the future of China's LED industry will face greater challenges of intellectual property rights. It is a long-term and arduous task for China's LED industry to strengthen the awareness of IPR protection and implement effective response strategies.

Source: First Financial Daily