Ampt LLC, a US provider of power optimisers for large-scale photovoltaic (PV) arrays, has launched patent infringement lawsuits against Israel-based inverter supplier SolarEdge Technologies Inc (NASDAQ:SEDG), it was announced on Thursday.
The Fort Collins, Colorado-headquartered company claims that SolarEdge is unlawfully using Ampt’s optimiser technology in its own solar power systems and that the Israeli firm’s offerings infringe one or more claims from eight of Ampt’s US patents.
As a result, Ampt has filed a complaint with the US International Trade Commission (ITC) along with a similar action in the US District Court in Delaware. It requests that the ITC bans the import into the US of SolarEdge’s patent-infringing power systems and components, while with the court case it seeks a finding of patent infringement, substantial monetary damages and an injunction.
“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,” stated Levent Gun, Ampt’s CEO.
The US company further noted that there are “numerous other non-infringing companies selling alternative products that are currently available in the US to meet both existing and future demand.”
According to Ampt, SolarEdge manufactures its infringing products in ael, China, Vietnam and Hungary.
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