The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative plans a hearing March 8 on its “Special 301” investigation of foreign countries that deny adequate and effective protection of intellectual property rights or deny fair market access to U.S. citizens who rely on IP protection, it said in Thursday's Federal Register. The hearing had tentatively been set for Tuesday. Post-hearing briefs are now due March 14, it said. USTR’s Special 301 report is still set for publication around April 30. Friday, USTR didn't have for us more details of the hearing at 1724 F St. NW, Rooms 1 and 2.

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative plans a hearing March 8 on its “Special 301” investigation of foreign countries that deny adequate and effective protection of intellectual property rights or deny fair market access to U.S. citizens who rely on IP protection, it said in Thursday's Federal Register. The hearing had tentatively been set for Tuesday. Post-hearing briefs are now due March 14, it said. USTR’s Special 301 report is still set for publication around April 30. Friday, USTR didn't have for us more details of the hearing at 1724 F St. NW, Rooms 1 and 2.

The Commerce Department issued notices in the Federal Register on its recently initiated antidumping and countervailing duty investigations on cast iron soil pipe from China (A-570-079/C-570-080). The CV duty investigation covers entries Jan. 1, 2017, through Dec. 31, 2017. The AD duty investigation covers entries July 1, 2017, through Dec. 31, 2017.

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative will hold a public hearing March 8 on its “Special 301” investigation of foreign countries that deny adequate and effective protection of intellectual property rights or deny fair market access to U.S. citizens who rely on intellectual property protection, it said in a notice. The hearing had tentatively been set for Feb. 27 (see 1712260003). Post-hearing briefs are now due March 14, it said. USTR’s Special 301 report is still set for publication around April 30.

A coalition of domestic manufacturers filed a petition on Jan. 25 with the Commerce Department and the International Trade Commission, requesting new antidumping and countervailing duties on cast iron soil pipe from China. Commerce will now decide whether to begin AD/CVD investigations on cast iron soil pipe that could eventually result in the assessment of AD/CV duties. The coalition that requested the duties, known as the Cast Iron Soil Pipe Institute, includes as individual members AB&I Foundry, Charlotte Pipe and Foundry, and Tyler Pipe.

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative on Jan. 12 released the results of its Section 301 review of notorious markets, it said in a press release. The report lists “25 online markets and 18 physical markets around the world that are reported to be engaging in and facilitating substantial copyright piracy and trademark counterfeiting,” USTR said. The list “maintains its special focus on the distribution of pirated content and counterfeit goods online. This year, the report highlights illicit streaming devices as an emerging piracy model of growing concern,” it said. “The report also calls on several e-commerce platforms to improve takedown procedures, proactive measures, and cooperation with right holders -- particularly small and medium-sized businesses -- to decrease the volume and prevalence of counterfeit and pirated goods on their platforms.”

Union workers challenged AT&T Southwest layoffs. AT&T violated Section 301 of the 1947 Labor-Management Relations Act by laying off union employees while subcontracting their work "for the bad faith purpose of diminishing the employee bargaining unit" and in breach of their collective bargaining agreement, CWA District 6 complained (in Pacer) at U.S. District Court in Austin. The CWA district, covering workers in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas, sought an injunction to reinstate jobs of laid-off employees and a jury trial. Both sides announced Dec. 12 that 152 premises technicians who install TV and internet services would lose their jobs Jan. 4 due to reduced workload, and 561 others with various titles would be laid off Feb. 17 for the same reason or due to work consolidation. "There is no reduction in workload,” CWA said. “The Company's business is booming.” CWA sought an injunction at the National Labor Relations Board in case 16-CA-212398, saying the telecom provider violated sections 8(a)(5) and 8(a)(3) of the National Labor Relations Act. “We expected AT&T to invest in our communities and customers, and to create more jobs, as the Republican tax plan promised,” District 6 Vice President Claude Cummings said. The company complied with terms of the collective bargaining agreement and “the allegations in the lawsuit are baseless,” a spokesman said. AT&T is adding people in parts of the business with higher customer demand, as technology-driven efficiencies and declining demand for older services led to cuts, the spokesman said. “We’ll work to find other AT&T jobs for as many affected employees as possible,” including location transfers of some technicians, he said.

Union workers challenged AT&T Southwest layoffs. AT&T violated Section 301 of the 1947 Labor-Management Relations Act by laying off union employees while subcontracting their work "for the bad faith purpose of diminishing the employee bargaining unit" and in breach of their collective bargaining agreement, CWA District 6 complained (in Pacer) at U.S. District Court in Austin. The CWA district, covering workers in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas, sought an injunction to reinstate jobs of laid-off employees and a jury trial. Both sides announced Dec. 12 that 152 premises technicians who install TV and internet services would lose their jobs Jan. 4 due to reduced workload, and 561 others with various titles would be laid off Feb. 17 for the same reason or due to work consolidation. "There is no reduction in workload,” CWA said. “The Company's business is booming.” CWA sought an injunction at the National Labor Relations Board in case 16-CA-212398, saying the telecom provider violated sections 8(a)(5) and 8(a)(3) of the National Labor Relations Act. “We expected AT&T to invest in our communities and customers, and to create more jobs, as the Republican tax plan promised,” District 6 Vice President Claude Cummings said. The company complied with terms of the collective bargaining agreement and “the allegations in the lawsuit are baseless,” a spokesman said. AT&T is adding people in parts of the business with higher customer demand, as technology-driven efficiencies and declining demand for older services led to cuts, the spokesman said. “We’ll work to find other AT&T jobs for as many affected employees as possible,” including location transfers of some technicians, he said.

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative is requesting written submissions from the public by Feb. 8, 2018, of comments concerning foreign countries that “deny adequate and effective protection of intellectual property rights” or deny fair market access to U.S. citizens who rely on intellectual property protection, USTR said. In advance of a Feb. 27 public hearing to be hosted by the interagency Special 301 Subcommittee, USTR is asking that the public identify actions that might implicate a particular trading partner as a priority foreign country. Foreign governments will have until Feb. 22 to submit written comments, notices of intent to testify at the hearing, and any prepared hearing statements. USTR plans to publish the National Trade Estimate within about 30 days prior to the expected April 30 publication of the 2018 Special 301 Report.

A freight forwarder with the proper authorization may sign a continuous customs bond, which CBP considers to be "customs business," for an importer, that agency said in a Sept. 26 ruling. The ruling request came from the Miami Field Office following a broker compliance audit that found a foreign importer to be using a continuous customs bond singed by its freight forwarder, CBP said in HQ H251059. Actions constituting "customs business" typically require a valid broker license and district permit.