Shoals Technologies Group Secures Favorable Initial Ruling in ITC Case Against Voltage, LLC
Shoals Technologies Group (Nasdaq: SHLS) has secured a favorable initial ruling from the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) in its patent infringement case against Voltage, The ruling found that Voltage violated Section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 by importing infringing LYNX trunk bus products into the United States. Shoals has also been issued two new patents covering its BLA technology. If upheld, the ruling will prevent unlawful imports of photovoltaic connectors that infringe on Shoals' intellectual property.
Shoals' patented Big Lead Assembly (BLA) connectors offer significant cost savings and maintenance benefits. The company views this ruling as a victory for the U.S. solar industry and American jobs. The ITC investigation is scheduled for completion in late December, with final resolution expected in February 2025. Shoals plans to pursue monetary damages in a separate District Court case against Voltage following the ITC case resolution.
Shoals Technologies Group (Nasdaq: SHLS) ha ottenuto una favorevole sentenza iniziale dalla Commissione per il commercio internazionale degli Stati Uniti (ITC) nel suo caso di violazione di brevetto contro Voltage. La sentenza ha stabilito che Voltage ha violato la Sezione 337 del Tariff Act del 1930 importando prodotti LYNX trunk bus che infrangono i brevetti negli Stati Uniti. Shoals ha inoltre ricevuto due nuovi brevetti che coprono la sua tecnologia BLA. Se confermata, la sentenza impedirà importazioni illecite di connettori fotovoltaici che violano la proprietà intellettuale di Shoals.
I connettori Big Lead Assembly (BLA) brevetati da Shoals offrono significativi risparmi sui costi e benefici di manutenzione. L'azienda considera questa sentenza una vittoria per l'industria solare statunitense e per i posti di lavoro americani. L'indagine dell'ITC è prevista per essere completata alla fine di dicembre, con la risoluzione finale attesa per febbraio 2025. Shoals intende richiedere danni monetari in un caso separato in tribunale distrettuale contro Voltage dopo la risoluzione della causa presso l'ITC.
Shoals Technologies Group (Nasdaq: SHLS) ha conseguido un fallo inicial favorable de la Comisión de Comercio Internacional de EE. UU. (ITC) en su caso de infracción de patentes contra Voltage. El fallo encontró que Voltage violó la Sección 337 de la Ley Arancelaria de 1930 al importar productos LYNX trunk bus que infringen patentes a los Estados Unidos. Shoals también ha recibido dos nuevas patentes que cubren su tecnología BLA. Si se mantiene, el fallo evitará importaciones ilegales de conectores fotovoltaicos que infringen la propiedad intelectual de Shoals.
Los conectores Big Lead Assembly (BLA) patentados por Shoals ofrecen significativos ahorros de costos y beneficios de mantenimiento. La compañía considera este fallo una victoria para la industria solar estadounidense y para los puestos de trabajo en América. Se espera que la investigación de la ITC se complete a finales de diciembre, con la resolución final prevista para febrero de 2025. Shoals planea buscar daños monetarios en un caso separado en el tribunal de distrito contra Voltage después de la resolución del caso de la ITC.
숏즈 테크놀로지스 그룹(Shoals Technologies Group, Nasdaq: SHLS)은 볼티지(Voltage)를 상대로 한 특허 침해 소송에서 미국 국제 무역 위원회(ITC)로부터 유리한 초기 판정을 받았습니다. 이 판정은 볼티지가 1930년 관세법 제337조를 위반하여 미국으로 침해된 LYNX 트렁크 버스 제품을 수입한 것으로 밝혀졌습니다. 숏즈는 또한 자사의 BLA 기술을 커버하는 두 개의 새로운 특허를 발급받았습니다. 만약 판정이 유지된다면, 이는 숏즈의 지적 재산권을 침해하는 태양광 커넥터의 불법 수입을 차단할 것입니다.
숏즈의 특허받은 빅 리드 어셈블리(BLA) 커넥터는 상당한 비용 절감과 유지 보수 이점을 제공합니다. 회사는 이 판정을 미국 태양광 산업과 미국 일자리의 승리로 보고 있습니다. ITC 조사 결과는 12월 말에 완료될 예정이며, 최종 결론은 2025년 2월에 예상됩니다. 숏즈는 ITC 사건 해결 후 볼티지를 상대로 별도의 지구 법원에서 금전적 손해를 청구할 계획입니다.
Shoals Technologies Group (Nasdaq: SHLS) a obtenu une décision initiale favorable de la Commission du commerce international des États-Unis (ITC) dans son affaire pour violation de brevet contre Voltage. La décision a jugé que Voltage avait violé la section 337 de la loi tarifaire de 1930 en important des produits LYNX trunk bus enfreignant des brevets aux États-Unis. Shoals a également obtenu deux nouveaux brevets pour sa technologie BLA. Si cette décision est confirmée, elle empêchera les importations illégales de connecteurs photovoltaïques violant la propriété intellectuelle de Shoals.
Les connecteurs Big Lead Assembly (BLA) brevetés de Shoals offrent des économies de coûts et des avantages en matière de maintenance considérables. L'entreprise considère cette décision comme une victoire pour l'industrie solaire américaine et les emplois américains. L'enquête de l'ITC devrait être achevée fin décembre, avec une résolution finale attendue en février 2025. Shoals envisage de demander des dommages-intérêts dans une affaire distincte devant le tribunal de district contre Voltage après la résolution de l'affaire de l'ITC.
Shoals Technologies Group (Nasdaq: SHLS) hat eine günstige erste Entscheidung von der U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) in ihrem Patentverletzungsverfahren gegen Voltage erhalten. Die Entscheidung stellte fest, dass Voltage gegen Abschnitt 337 des Tariff Act von 1930 verstoßen hat, indem es verletzende LYNX-Trunkbus-Produkte in die Vereinigten Staaten importierte. Shoals hat zudem zwei neue Patente für seine BLA-Technologie erhalten. Wenn die Entscheidung aufrechterhalten wird, wird sie rechtswidrige Importe von Photovoltaikanschlüssen verhindern, die gegen das geistige Eigentum von Shoals verstoßen.
Die patentierten Big Lead Assembly (BLA)-Anschlüsse von Shoals bieten erhebliche Kosteneinsparungen und Wartungsvorteile. Das Unternehmen betrachtet diese Entscheidung als einen Sieg für die US-Solarindustrie und amerikanische Arbeitsplätze. Die ITC-Untersuchung soll Ende Dezember abgeschlossen sein, die endgültige Entscheidung wird für Februar 2025 erwartet. Shoals plant, nach Abschluss des ITC-Verfahrens in einem separaten Verfahren vor dem Bezirksgericht gegen Voltage Schadensersatz zu fordern.
- Favorable initial ruling in patent infringement case against Voltage,
- Two new patents issued for BLA technology
- Potential prevention of unlawful imports of infringing photovoltaic connectors
- Shoals' BLA connectors offer significant cost savings and maintenance benefits
- None.
The ITC's initial ruling marks a significant legal victory for Shoals Technologies Group in their patent infringement case against Voltage, This decision, if upheld, could have far-reaching implications for the U.S. solar industry:
- It reinforces the strength of Shoals' intellectual property rights, particularly their patented BLA connectors.
- The ruling could effectively bar Voltage from importing infringing products into the U.S. market, potentially reshaping market dynamics.
- Shoals' plans to pursue monetary damages in district court suggest potential financial repercussions for Voltage.
However, it's important to note that this is an initial ruling, subject to review by the full Commission and potentially the President. The final resolution isn't expected until early 2025, leaving room for further developments or appeals.
Shoals' BLA technology represents a significant advancement in solar panel array connectors. The patented design offers several technical advantages:
- Reduced need for combiner boxes, simplifying system architecture
- Lower material and labor costs, potentially decreasing overall installation expenses
- Improved long-term maintenance benefits, enhancing system reliability
The issuance of two additional patents (12,015,375 and 12,015,376) further strengthens Shoals' intellectual property portfolio. This expanded patent coverage could provide Shoals with a competitive edge in the EBOS solutions market, potentially leading to increased market share and revenue opportunities in the rapidly growing solar energy sector.
This ruling could significantly impact the competitive landscape of the U.S. solar industry:
- Shoals may gain a stronger market position, potentially increasing their market share in the EBOS solutions segment.
- Competitors may need to invest more in R&D to develop non-infringing alternatives, potentially increasing their costs.
- The focus on protecting U.S. intellectual property and jobs could influence future industry policies and investment decisions.
For investors, this development signals Shoals' commitment to defending its innovations and market position. However, the full financial impact remains uncertain until the final ruling and potential damages are determined. The solar industry's growth trajectory and increasing emphasis on domestic manufacturing could further benefit companies like Shoals with strong U.S.-based operations and IP portfolios.
Ruling Represents Big Win for U.S. Solar Manufacturing Industry and American Jobs
PORTLAND, Tenn., Sept. 03, 2024 (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 received a favorable legal ruling from the U.S. International Trade Commission (“ITC”) in its patent infringement complaint against Voltage, LLC and related foreign entity (“Voltage”). On August 30, 2024, an Administrative Law Judge at the ITC issued an initial ruling finding that Voltage violated Section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 by importing infringing LYNX trunk bus products into the United States.
In addition, Shoals has also recently been issued two new patents covering Shoals’ BLA technology, U.S. Patents 12,015,375 and 12,015,376, in addition to the '153 (US Patent 11,689,153) patent that Voltage was found to violate in the ITC case.
If upheld by the Commission, the patent infringement ruling will prevent the unlawful imports of photovoltaic connectors that infringe on intellectual property owned by Shoals for improved solar panel array connectors. Invented and manufactured in the U.S., Shoals’ patented Big Lead Assembly (BLA) connectors offer significant savings by reducing the need for combiner boxes, minimizing material and labor costs, and providing long-term maintenance benefits.
“This initial ruling represents a huge victory for Shoals, the U.S. solar industry and American jobs,” said Brandon Moss, CEO of Shoals. “By enforcing our patents, we can continue to drive innovation, protect American intellectual property and jobs, and ensure that only compliant and authorized products reach the U.S. market. This decision reinforces our commitment to fair competition and the integrity of our industry.”
The target date for completion of the ITC investigation is scheduled for late December, and final resolution following a potential Presidential review in February 2025. Following final disposition of the ITC case, Shoals plans to resume the currently stayed District Court case in the Middle District of North Carolina against Voltage, on the same subject matter, to pursue monetary damages.
Shoals will continue to prioritize protecting its valuable portfolio against infringement and remains committed to investing in and protecting American jobs, manufacturing, and intellectual property.
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 final disposition of the ITC case, including the potential imposition of an import ban, the outcome and timing of the District Court case, 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 patent infringement complaints that we filed with the U.S. International Trade Commission and two 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 complaints we filed with the ITC and two 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.
Investor Relations
Matt Tractenberg, VP of Finance and Investor Relations
investors@shoals.com
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