Shoals Technologies Group Files Additional Patent Infringement Complaint Against Voltage, LLC with the ITC
Rhea-AI Summary
Shoals Technologies Group (SHLS) has filed a new patent infringement complaint with the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) against Voltage, and a related foreign entity. The complaint involves two new patents ('375 and '376) covering Shoals' Big Lead Assembly (BLA) solutions for solar panel arrays.
This follows a previous '153 Patent infringement complaint filed in 2023. The new patents are designed to protect against alternative designs that Voltage may create to bypass the original '153 Patent. The complaint aims to prevent illegal importation of trunk bus lead assembly that infringes on Shoals' intellectual property.
Shoals expects a final determination on the pending '153 Patent infringement complaint from the ITC on January 15th, following a positive initial determination by the Commission.
Positive
- Company strengthens IP protection with two new patents for BLA solutions
- Positive initial determination received from ITC on previous patent complaint
- Strategic action to protect domestic manufacturing position
Negative
- Ongoing legal disputes may incur significant costs
- Patent infringement issues suggest competitive pressure in the market
Insights
The filing of additional patent infringement complaints with the ITC represents a strategic expansion of Shoals' intellectual property protection strategy. The new '375 and '376 patents specifically targeting trunk bus lead assembly improvements demonstrate sophisticated patent portfolio management. This multi-patent approach creates a more robust legal barrier against potential infringement workarounds.
The timing is particularly strategic - filing just before the expected January 15th final determination on the previous '153 patent case suggests a coordinated legal strategy to maintain continuous pressure on competitors. If successful, these actions could effectively block Voltage's ability to import competing products, potentially securing Shoals' market position in the EBOS solutions space.
For context in simpler terms: Imagine building a fence around your property. The first patent ('153) was like building the front fence. These new patents ('375 and '376) are like adding side fences to prevent someone from simply walking around the first fence. This comprehensive protection strategy could significantly impact Shoals' market dominance and revenue potential.
This patent enforcement strategy carries significant market implications. The EBOS market is experiencing rapid growth due to accelerating solar installations, making intellectual property protection increasingly valuable. The focus on preventing unauthorized imports aligns with broader industry trends toward reshoring manufacturing and protecting domestic innovation.
The mention of "alternative designs" suggests Shoals is proactively addressing potential market circumvention strategies. This comprehensive IP strategy could help Shoals maintain its premium pricing power and market share in the growing EBOS segment. The timing, coinciding with increased federal support for domestic clean energy manufacturing, positions Shoals favorably in the evolving market landscape.
In everyday terms: Shoals is essentially building a stronger moat around its business. By protecting its innovative designs more thoroughly, it's making it harder for competitors to offer similar products at lower prices, which could help maintain profit margins and market share in the long run.
Shoals Maintains Commitment to Protecting U.S. Solar Manufacturing and American Jobs
PORTLAND, Tenn., Jan. 09, 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 new patent infringement complaint with the U.S. International Trade Commission (“ITC”) against Voltage, LLC and related foreign entity. This complaint cites two new patents (‘375 and ‘376 Patents) that cover Shoals' Big Lead Assembly (“BLA”) solutions.
After filing the pending ‘153 Patent infringement complaint in 2023, Shoals was issued the ‘375 and ‘376 Patents. These new patents relate to an improved trunk bus lead assembly for solar panel arrays and Shoals believes they provide protection against alternative designs that Voltage may create to bypass the original ‘153 Patent. The complaint aims to prevent the illegal importation of trunk bus lead assembly that infringes on Shoals' intellectual property, specifically the patented BLA solutions.
“We have always maintained the commitment to protecting our intellectual property and valuable product portfolio against infringement,” Brandon Moss, CEO of Shoals Technologies Group asserted. “We will continue to invest in American jobs, domestic manufacturing, and support the increasing energy demands. To do that we need to remain vigilant against foreign entities to help accelerate the reshoring of domestic clean energy manufacturing.”
In addition, Shoals remains optimistic that the final determination in the pending ‘153 Patent infringement complaint, expected from the ITC on January 15th, will uphold the positive initial determination by the Commission.
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, 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.
FAQ
What new patents has Shoals Technologies (SHLS) filed complaints for against Voltage ?
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