The U.S. International Trade Commission said Monday it will investigate a Philips Electronics NV subsidiary's charges that importers are violating its patents on recordable and re-writable compact discs...

The ITC will investigate a complaint filed last month by Philips' Tarrytown, N.Y. -based subsidiary, alleging violations of Section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 that prohibits importation of goods infringing on U.S. patents. The commission, an independent government agency, listed numerous companies based in the U.S. , Hong Kong and Taiwan as subjects of the investigation.