The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) has issued its first decision in a patent infringement complaint against Voltage, finding that Shoals Technologies Group’s cable management patents had been infringed.
Credit: Shoals
On February 6, Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) Doris Johnson Hines ruled that Voltage Sec. 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 by importing its LYNX trunk bus products into the United States. One sec. 337 violation states that the infringement of certain patents leads to unfair competition in the import trade. The LYNX product would infringe on Shoals’ patents for its Big Lead Assembly (BLA) solution.
This is the latest finding in a long-running patent infringement battle between Shoals and Voltage. Shoals first claimed infringement against Voltage in 2023 over three patents covering in-line fuses and trunk buses. Shoals later withdrew its complaint about one of the suitcase patents, the ITC dismissed the fuse patent infringement claim after finding that Shoals failed to practice it, and the ITC ultimately threw out the Sec. 337 case in January 2025 after it was determined that Voltage did not infringe on Shoals’ trunk bus design.
Shoals has a new Sec. 337 complaint against Voltage on January 10, 2025, with two different patents (Nos. 12,015,375 and 12,015,376). These patents are also being challenged in the US District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina, where a trial will take place on February 26.
ALJ Hines, in its initial finding, found that both the ‘375 and ‘376 patents were infringed by Voltage under Sec. 337.
“This initial ruling is a major step toward a victory for American innovation and the domestic energy supply chain,” said Brandon Moss, CEO of Shoals Technologies Group. “We appreciate the ALJ’s recognition that protecting intellectual property means protecting the future of America’s energy security. Shoals is founded on the belief that American manufacturing must lead the electrification revolution, and we will continue to defend our intellectual property, invest in domestic manufacturing and create American jobs.”
The final determination of the ITC is expected to be announced in June 2026. In the meantime, Voltage is still allowed to import its LYNX products into the United States.
North Carolina-based Voltage produces a number of products in China. The company just announced that it will open a new eBOS manufacturing site in North Carolina to produce more Made-in-America products. The company has developed the new LYNX PLUS product, which is a “step forward over current trunk bus solutions” and was recognized by ALJ Hines as not infringing Shoals patents.
The story has been updated following clarifying statements from Voltage.
