Shoals Technologies Group Appeals ITC Reversal Decision to Federal Circuit and Receives Institution in New ITC Action Against Voltage
Shoals Technologies Group (SHLS) has filed a Petition for Review and Notice of Appeal to the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, challenging the International Trade Commission's (ITC) recent decision to reverse a prior ruling regarding Voltage's LYNX trunk bus products infringing Shoals' '153 Patent.
The appeal requests a 'de novo' review of the ITC's interpretation, which could result in either finding infringement or remanding the case to apply the Administrative Law Judge's original interpretation. Additionally, the ITC has instituted a new investigation into Voltage's alleged infringement of Shoals' newly issued '375 and '376 patents, which protect improved trunk bus lead assembly designs for solar energy projects.
Shoals Technologies Group (SHLS) ha presentato una Petizione di Revisione e un Avviso di Appello alla Corte d'Appello degli Stati Uniti per il Circuito Federale, contestando la recente decisione della Commissione per il Commercio Internazionale (ITC) di annullare una precedente sentenza riguardante i prodotti trunk bus LYNX di Voltage in violazione del brevetto '153 di Shoals.
L'appello richiede una revisione 'de novo' dell'interpretazione dell'ITC, che potrebbe portare a una constatazione di violazione o a un rinvio del caso per applicare l'interpretazione originale del Giudice Amministrativo. Inoltre, l'ITC ha avviato una nuova indagine sull'asserita violazione da parte di Voltage dei nuovi brevetti '375 e '376 di Shoals, che proteggono i design migliorati per l'assemblaggio dei cavi trunk bus per progetti di energia solare.
Shoals Technologies Group (SHLS) ha presentado una Petición de Revisión y un Aviso de Apelación ante el Tribunal de Apelaciones de los Estados Unidos para el Circuito Federal, impugnando la reciente decisión de la Comisión de Comercio Internacional (ITC) de revocar un fallo anterior sobre los productos trunk bus LYNX de Voltage que infringen la patente '153 de Shoals.
La apelación solicita una revisión 'de novo' de la interpretación de la ITC, lo que podría resultar en un hallazgo de infracción o en el reenvío del caso para aplicar la interpretación original del Juez Administrativo. Además, la ITC ha iniciado una nueva investigación sobre la supuesta infracción de Voltage de las nuevas patentes '375 y '376 de Shoals, que protegen los diseños mejorados de ensamblaje de cables trunk bus para proyectos de energía solar.
Shoals Technologies Group (SHLS)는 미국 연방 순회 항소 법원에 대한 검토 청원 및 항소 통지를 제출하여 국제 무역 위원회(ITC)의 최근 결정을 반박하고 있습니다. 이는 Voltage의 LYNX 트렁크 버스 제품이 Shoals의 '153 특허를 침해한다는 이전 판결을 뒤집은 것입니다.
이 항소는 ITC의 해석에 대한 'de novo' 검토를 요청하고 있으며, 이는 침해를 발견하거나 행정 법원의 원래 해석을 적용하기 위해 사건을 환송할 수 있습니다. 또한, ITC는 Voltage가 Shoals의 새로 발급된 '375 및 '376 특허를 침해했다는 주장에 대한 새로운 조사를 시작했습니다. 이 특허는 태양 에너지 프로젝트를 위한 개선된 트렁크 버스 리드 조립 디자인을 보호합니다.
Shoals Technologies Group (SHLS) a déposé une Pétition de Révision et un Avis d'Appel auprès de la Cour d'Appel des États-Unis pour le Circuit Fédéral, contestant la récente décision de la Commission du Commerce International (ITC) d'annuler une décision antérieure concernant les produits de bus LYNX de Voltage qui enfreignent le brevet '153 de Shoals.
L'appel demande une révision 'de novo' de l'interprétation de l'ITC, ce qui pourrait aboutir soit à une constatation d'infraction, soit à un renvoi de l'affaire pour appliquer l'interprétation originale du Juge Administratif. De plus, l'ITC a ouvert une nouvelle enquête sur l'allégation d'infraction par Voltage des nouveaux brevets '375 et '376 de Shoals, qui protègent les conceptions améliorées pour l'assemblage de câbles de bus trunk pour des projets d'énergie solaire.
Shoals Technologies Group (SHLS) hat eine Petition zur Überprüfung und eine Beschwerde beim US-Berufungsgericht für den Bundeskreis eingereicht, um die jüngste Entscheidung der International Trade Commission (ITC) anzufechten, die eine frühere Entscheidung bezüglich der Verletzung von Shoals' '153 Patent durch Voltage's LYNX-Trunk-Bus-Produkte aufhebt.
Die Berufung fordert eine 'de novo' Überprüfung der Auslegung der ITC, die entweder zu einer Feststellung der Verletzung oder zu einer Rücksendung des Falls zur Anwendung der ursprünglichen Auslegung des Verwaltungsrichters führen könnte. Darüber hinaus hat die ITC eine neue Untersuchung zu Voltages angeblicher Verletzung von Shoals' neu erteilten '375 und '376 Patenten eingeleitet, die verbesserte Designs für Trunk-Bus-Leitungsassemblierungen für Solarenergieprojekte schützen.
- ITC instituted new investigation into Voltage's potential infringement of Shoals' new '375 and '376 patents
- New patents provide protection against both existing designs and potential alternative designs by Voltage
- ITC reversed previous favorable ruling on Voltage's LYNX trunk bus products infringing Shoals' '153 Patent
Insights
The dual-track legal strategy employed by Shoals Technologies represents a sophisticated approach to intellectual property protection in the highly competitive solar EBOS market. The Federal Circuit appeal is particularly significant as it will involve a 'de novo' review, meaning the court will examine the patent interpretation independently, potentially giving Shoals a fresh opportunity to establish infringement of the '153 Patent.
The institution of a new ITC investigation based on the '375 and '376 patents is strategically important for several reasons:
- These patents appear to create a broader protective moat around Shoals' intellectual property, potentially closing loopholes that competitors might exploit
- The timing suggests a well-planned approach to maintain market protection even if the original patent dispute faces challenges
- The focus on trunk bus lead assemblies indicates these components are vital to Shoals' competitive advantage in the EBOS market
From a market perspective, these legal proceedings carry significant implications. A favorable outcome could strengthen Shoals' market position by effectively blocking competitive products from entering the U.S. market. Conversely, an unfavorable result could expose the company to increased competition from Voltage and potentially other manufacturers. The emphasis on protecting American jobs and production facilities also suggests broader economic and political considerations that could influence the case's reception.
The renewable energy sector's rapid growth makes intellectual property protection increasingly critical. This case could set important precedents for how solar technology patents are interpreted and enforced, potentially influencing future industry disputes and innovation strategies. The outcome will likely impact not just Shoals' market position but also the broader landscape of solar energy component manufacturing and distribution in the United States.
Enforcement of Intellectual Property Remains Priority for Advancement of US Solar Industry
PORTLAND, Tenn., Feb. 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Shoals Technologies Group, Inc. (Shoals) (Nasdaq: SHLS), a global leader in electrical balance of system (EBOS) solutions for the energy transition market, announced today that it has filed a Petition for Review and Notice of Appeal to the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. The appeal seeks review of the International Trade Commission (ITC) decision to reverse the Administrative Law Judge’s (ALJ) prior determination that Voltage’s LYNX trunk bus products infringe Shoals’ ’153 Patent.
In the filing, Shoals requests that the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals review and overturn the ITC’s interpretation of the Shoals ’153 Patent. The review would be on a “de novo” basis, meaning the court will review the interpretation without deferring to the ITC’s latest determination. A favorable appeal should result in the Federal Circuit either finding infringement or remanding the case to the ITC to apply the ALJ’s interpretation of the ‘153 Patent. Shoals is confident that under the proper interpretation, the ALJ’s initial determination finding that Voltage did in fact violate Section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 by importing infringing LYNX trunk bus products into the United States, will be upheld.
The ITC also announced today that it has decided to institute a new investigation into Voltage’s infringement of Shoals’ two newly issued ’375 and ’376 patents as alleged in Shoals’ complaint filed with the ITC on January 9th. These new patents relate to an improved trunk bus lead assembly for solar energy projects, and Shoals believes they provide protection against both existing designs as well as any alternative designs that Voltage may create seeking to bypass the original ’153 Patent.
“This appeal and the filing of the new ITC complaint confirm Shoals’ commitment to enforce our intellectual property rights and to prevent the illegal importation of trunk bus lead assemblies that infringe these rights,” Brandon Moss, CEO of Shoals Technologies Group stated. “We will continue to protect our American jobs, facilities, production and innovation from attack by a foreign producer and importer of infringing products.”
About Shoals Technologies Group
Shoals Technologies Group is a leading provider of electrical balance of systems (EBOS) solutions for the energy transition market. Since its founding in 1996, the Company has introduced innovative technologies and systems solutions that allow its customers to substantially increase installation efficiency and safety while improving system performance and reliability. Shoals Technologies Group is a recognized leader in the renewable energy industry. For additional information, please visit: https://www.shoals.com.
Forward-looking Statements:
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements, that are based on the Company’s management’s beliefs and assumptions and on information currently available to the Company’s management.
These forward-looking statements relate to, among other things, the outcome and timing of the new patent infringement case filed with the ITC, as well the Company's existing patent infringement case filed with the ITC and related appeal, the Company’s future growth, including growth of the Company’s IP portfolio, and possible effects on the Company’s business strategies and operations. Forward-looking statements include statements that are not historical facts and can be identified by terms such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “seek,” “should,” “will,” “would” or similar expressions and the negatives of those terms.
Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the Company’s actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Some of the key factors that could cause actual results to differ from the Company’s expectations include, among other things; we are subject to risks associated with the appeal filed with the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and the patent infringement complaints that we filed with the U.S. International Trade Commission and District Courts; if we fail to, or incur significant costs in order to, obtain, maintain, protect, defend or enforce our intellectual property and other proprietary rights, including those that are subject to the patent infringement actions we filed with the Federal Circuit, ITC and District Courts, our business and results of operations could be materially harmed; changes in the U.S. trade environment, including the imposition of trade restrictions, import tariffs, anti-dumping and countervailing duties could adversely affect the amount or timing of our revenue, results of operations or cash flows; and the market for our products is competitive, and we may face increased competition as new and existing competitors introduce EBOS system solutions and components, which could negatively affect our results of operations and market share.
These and other important risk factors are described more fully in the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and could cause actual results to vary from expectations. Given these uncertainties, you should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Also, forward-looking statements represent the Company’s management’s beliefs and assumptions only as of the date of this report. You should read this report with the understanding that the Company’s actual future results may be materially different from what the Company expects. Except as required by law, the Company assumes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements, even if new information becomes available in the future.
Media Relations
Lindsey Williams, VP of Marketing and External Communications
Lindsey.williams@shoals.com
Investor Relations
Matt Tractenberg, VP of Finance and Investor Relations
investors@shoals.com
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