Hitachi Metals : Files Lawsuit Against Advanced Technology & Materials, etc. with the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC)

September 20, 2017
Hitachi Metals, Ltd.

Hitachi Metals, Ltd. (hereinafter, 'Hitachi Metals') and its subsidiary Metglas, Inc. (located in South Carolina, U.S.) (hereinafter, 'MET') (hereinafter collectively, 'MET, etc.') filed a petition for the commencement of investigation under Section 337 of the U.S. Tariff Act of 1930 with the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) for alleged improper acquisition and use of trade secrets of MET, etc. pertaining to manufacturing technologies for amorphous metals by five Chinese amorphous metals manufacturers including Advanced Technology & Materials Co., Ltd. (hereinafter, 'Advanced Technology & Materials, etc.') and former Hitachi Metals employees. The purposes of the petition are as follows.

• (1) Finding of infringement with respect to trade secrets of MET, etc.
• (2) Issuance of a GEO (General Exclusion Order)
• (3) Suspension order and penalties for violating the said order

In order to protect our advanced technologies as a source of global competitiveness for Hitachi Metals, we will continue to take decisive action against unfair competition in the future.

*1.　Amorphous metals
Amorphous metals, which have a non-crystalline structure, display outstanding magnetic and mechanical properties, compared to conventional crystalline materials. They are being adopted for a wide range of use including power distribution transformers, magnetic cores for electronic and electrical circuit use, and metallic bonding materials.

*2.　Five Chinese amorphous metals manufacturers that are the respondents in this case
Advanced Technology & Materials Co., Ltd.
AT&M International Trading Co., Ltd.
CISRI International Trading Co., Ltd.
Beijing ZLJG Amorphous Technology Co., Ltd.
Qingdao Yunlu Energy Technology Co., Ltd.

*3.　GEO
An exclusion order to prohibit the import of products applicable to the cause of action not limited to the products of the respondents (amorphous ribbons, cores, amorphous transformers and products using them in this case) into the U.S.

*4.　Suspension order
An order to the respondents to suspend the use of unfair methods and acts (e.g.: prohibiting disposal of inventories of products that have already been imported into the U.S., etc.)