A bill to amend the Unfair Competition Act of 1916 and Clayton Act to provide for private enforcement of the Unfair Competition statute in the event of unfair foreign competition, and to amend Title 28 of the United States Code to provide for private enforcement of the Customs fraud statute.
Unfair Foreign Competition Act of 1985 - Amends the Clayton Act to include a specified antidumping provision among U.S. antitrust laws.
Amends such antidumping provision of the Unfair Competition Act of 1916 to allow any person who is injured in her or his property or business by the sale or importation of an article made in a foreign country to bring a civil action against the manufacturer, exporter, or related importer of such article if: (1) the article is imported or sold in the United States at less than its foreign market or constructed value; and (2) such sale or importation causes or threatens material injury to U.S. industry or labor or prevents the establishment or modernization of U.S. industry. (Currently, the cause of such an action is predicated on the intent of the importer to injure or prevent the establishment of U.S. industry or to monopolize trade.)
Restricts the court jurisdiction of such an action to the district court of the District of Columbia or the Court of International Trade. Entitles a prevailing plaintiff in such an action to appropriate equitable relief or, if such relief is inadequate, to compensatory damages, and legal expenses (currently, treble damages and legal expenses).
Declares that the standard of proof in such an action is a preponderance of the evidence. Places the burden of proof for rebutting a prima facie case on the defendant. Includes within the meaning of prima facie case a finding by the International Trade Commission (ITC) that dumping exists.
Authorizes the court to: (1) issue subpoenas to be enforced in any judicial district; (2) enjoin importation of articles allegedly dumped pending the defendant's compliance with any court order; (3) review, in camera, confidential or privileged material; (4) accept material under seal; and (5) disclose such material. Requires expedited treatment of such actions.
Sets a four-year statute of limitations for actions under this Act.
Requires the foreign market value or constructed value of an article to include the amount of any subsidy provided to the manufacturer, producer, or exporter of the article.
Expresses the sense of the Congress that this Act is consistent with the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade.
Allows any person who is injured in his or her business or property by the fraudulent, grossly negligent, or negligent entry or introduction of merchandise into U.S. commerce to bring a civil action in the district court of the District of Columbia or the Court of International Trade, without respect to the amount in controversy. Entitles a person prevailing in such an action to appropriate equitable relief or, if such relief is inadequate, compensatory damages, and legal expenses.
Permits the United States to intervene in an action under this Act as a matter of right. Subjects any court order under this Act to nullification by the President pursuant to authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.
Introduced in Senate
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.
Committee on Judiciary requested executive comment from Federal Trade Commission, Commerce Department, Treasury Department, Justice Department, Administrative Office of the United States Courts.
Committee on Judiciary received executive comment from Federal Trade Commission.
Committee on Judiciary. Hearings held.
Committee on Judiciary received executive comment from Department of Commerce.
Committee on Judiciary received executive comment from Department of Justice.
Committee on Judiciary received executive comment from Department of the Treasury.
Committee on Judiciary received executive comment from Office of the United States Trade Representative.
Committee on Judiciary. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
Committee on Judiciary. Reported to Senate by Senator Thurmond without amendment. Without written report.
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Committee on Judiciary. Reported to Senate by Senator Thurmond without amendment. Without written report.
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 561.
By Senator Thurmond from Committee on Judiciary filed written report. Report No. 99-295.
By Senator Thurmond from Committee on Judiciary filed written report. Report No. 99-295.
Referred to the Committee on Finance by unanimous consent for a period not to extend beyond August 1, 1986; Provided that any amendments reported by the Committee on Finance relating to the subject matter of the bill shall be in order.
Subcommittee on International Trade. Hearings held.
Senate Committee on Finance discharged. Pursuant to the order of June 20, 1986.
Senate Committee on Finance discharged. Pursuant to the order of June 20, 1986.
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 769.