In late July, we wrote about the U.S. International Trade Commission's decision to institute a Section 337 investigation of certain silicon photovoltaic cells and modules with nanostructures. As a brief follow-up, three answers to the complaint have now been filed by the companies targeted in the complaint: Hanwha, Canadian Solar et al., and Boviet.

In addition, the Administrative Law Judge in the case, David Shaw, issued an order setting out certain key dates for the proceedings. The order states: "it is determined that the initial determination on alleged violation of section 337 shall be due on June 14, 2022, and that the target date for completion of this investigation is October 14, 2022, which is approximately 14.8 months after institution of the investigation."

The order also says that "[t]he evidentiary hearing in this investigation is tentatively scheduled for February 15 – 18, 2022," but notes that "[f]irm hearing dates will be set later after evaluating, among other things, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on this investigation."