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Ampt Brings Patent Infringement Lawsuits Against SolarEdge to Protect Optimizer Technology

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Ampt LLC has filed a complaint with the U.S. International Trade Commission against SolarEdge Technologies (NASDAQ: SEDG), seeking to ban the import of its infringing products. The complaint alleges that SolarEdge unlawfully uses Ampt's patented optimizer technology. Concurrently, Ampt has initiated a similar action in the U.S. District Court in Delaware for substantial monetary damages. The ITC action requests an exclusion order against SolarEdge's infringing systems and components, which include power optimizers and inverters.

Positive
  • Ampt has invested tens of millions into its technology, securing over 60 patents, including 30 U.S. patents.
  • The legal actions may solidify Ampt's market position by protecting its intellectual property.
Negative
  • If the ITC sides with Ampt, SolarEdge could face significant disruption in U.S. sales, impacting revenue.
  • Potential for costly legal battles may divert resources and focus from core business operations for SolarEdge.

Complaint with U.S. International Trade Commission Seeks to Ban Import of Infringing SolarEdge Products

Similar Infringement Action in U.S. District Court Seeks Injunction and Substantial Monetary Damages

FORT COLLINS, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Ampt LLC, the world’s leading provider of power optimizers for large-scale photovoltaic (“PV”) systems, today filed a complaint with the U.S. International Trade Commission (“ITC”) against SolarEdge Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: SEDG), requesting that the ITC ban the import of SolarEdge power systems and components that infringe Ampt’s patents. Ampt simultaneously filed a similar patent infringement action against SolarEdge in the U.S. District Court in Delaware that seeks a finding of patent infringement, substantial monetary damages and an injunction.

Colorado-based Ampt invented power optimizers that are used in large solar plants to lower the cost of energy production and improve performance in new systems; upgrade existing systems; enable low-cost solar energy storage systems; and improve operations and maintenance.

Ampt asserts that SolarEdge’s solar power systems unlawfully use Ampt’s optimizer technology and infringe one or more claims from eight of Ampt’s U.S. patents. These patents describe improved ways of converting electrical power from a solar energy source to make it available for use in a variety of applications.

Ampt’s complaint asks the ITC for an exclusion order banning from import into the United States those SolarEdge products that infringe Ampt’s patents. Ampt also seeks a ban on the sale of infringing products in the U.S. after they are imported. The infringing products include SolarEdge power optimizers for solar panels, inverters for solar power systems and solar power systems using both.

SolarEdge is based in Israel and its infringing products are manufactured in Israel, China, Vietnam and Hungary. If the ITC grants the relief sought by Ampt, it would not be possible for SolarEdge to continue selling those infringing products in the United States, however there are numerous other non-infringing companies selling alternative products that are currently available in the U.S. to meet both existing and future demand.

Ampt has dedicated tens of millions of dollars to the development of its power optimizers and related products at its facility in Fort Collins, Colorado, which is principally devoted to engineering and research and development activities. Its extensive investments in labor and capital have resulted in more than 60 issued patents, including 30 U.S. patents. Ampt has leveraged these innovative technologies to develop industry-leading products that are deployed around the world in mission-critical solar power plants.

“Ampt’s power optimizer technology is essential to the clean energy revolution and plays a fundamental role in lowering the costs of large-scale solar energy production,” said Levent Gun, Ampt’s Chief Executive Officer. “SolarEdge has sought to improve its own position in the PV market by unlawfully using our proprietary technology without asking our permission or compensating us. By bringing these actions to defend our intellectual property, we are standing up for our employees, customers and partners, as well as the principles of fair competition and rewarding innovation that are critical to the solar energy market as a whole.”

Mr. Gun continued, “This complaint seeks to block SolarEdge from continuing to profit wrongfully from Ampt’s patented inventions. We look forward to demonstrating to the ITC and the District Court that SolarEdge is violating our intellectual property and that the Commission should ban the import of the infringing SolarEdge products.”

In the ITC action, Ampt asserts that SolarEdge infringes one or more claims from U.S. Patents Nos. 9,673,630 and 11,289,917. In the U.S. District Court action, Ampt asserts that SolarEdge infringes one or more claims from the aforementioned U.S. Patents, as well as from U.S. Patents Nos. 7,605,498, 7,719,140, 10,608,437, 10,886,746, 11,070,062 and 11,070,063.

Ampt is represented by Scott Bornstein, Nick Brown, Vivian Kuo and Cyrus Frelinghuysen of Greenberg Traurig, LLP.

About Ampt

Ampt delivers innovative power conversion and communication technology that is used to lower the cost and improve performance of new PV systems, repower existing systems, and enable lower cost DC coupled storage. With installations and experience serving markets around the world, Ampt is the number-one power optimizer company for large-scale systems. The company is headquartered in Fort Collins, Colorado and has sales and support locations in North America, Europe, and Japan, as well as representation in Asia, Australia, and the Middle East. For more information, visit www.ampt.com and follow Ampt@LinkedIn.

FGS Global

Ampt-FGS@fgsglobal.com

Source: Ampt LLC

FAQ

What legal action has Ampt taken against SolarEdge (SEDG)?

Ampt filed a complaint with the U.S. International Trade Commission and a similar action in U.S. District Court for patent infringement against SolarEdge.

What is Ampt alleging against SolarEdge Technologies (SEDG)?

Ampt alleges that SolarEdge is unlawfully using its patented optimizer technology in its solar power systems.

What could be the impact of Ampt's complaint on SolarEdge (SEDG)?

If Ampt's complaint is upheld, it could lead to a ban on the import of SolarEdge's infringing products into the U.S., significantly affecting its sales.

What products are involved in Ampt's complaint against SolarEdge (SEDG)?

The products involved include SolarEdge power optimizers, inverters for solar power systems, and other related components.

How many patents does Ampt have related to its technology?

Ampt has over 60 issued patents, including 30 U.S. patents related to its power optimizer technology.

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