April 27, 2006

Ajinomoto files complaint against Chinese, Hong Kong lysine-producing companies

Ajinomoto Heartland has filed a complaint with the United States International Trade Commission (USITC) on Apr 25, requesting an investigation of certain L-lysine feed products, their methods of production and the genetic constructs for production, under Section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930.

The companies listed for investigations are Hong Kong's Global Bio-Chem Technology Group and Bio-Chem Technology, along with China's Changchun Dacheng Bio-Chem Engineering Development Co, Changchun Baocheng Bio-Chem Development Co and Changchun Dahe Bio Technology Development Co.

Section 337 investigations often involve claims on intellectual property rights, including allegations of patent and trademark infringement by imported goods. Other forms of unfair competition involving imported products, such as infringement of registered copyrights and misappropriation of trade secrets, passing off and false advertising, may also be asserted.

Investigations based on these premises can result in an exclusion order that will involve halting infringing imports from entering the US. In addition, USITC may also issue cease and desist orders against named importers and other persons engaged in unfair acts.

Ajinomoto Heartland, located in Illinois, US, is part of the Ajinomoto Animal Nutrition group, the world's largest feed-use amino acid production network.