Solar Cable Patent Fight Heads to ITC Review
Published Date: 5/6/2026
Notice
Summary
The U.S. International Trade Commission is taking a second look at a decision that found Voltage, LLC and Ningbo Volta violated patent rules on solar power cable parts. They’re asking for input on how to fix the problem, protect the public, and handle money matters. This affects companies making or selling these solar cable parts and could lead to changes in trade rules soon.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 3 costs, 1 mixed.
Imports could be barred from U.S. ports
The Commission may order an exclusion that would bar the specified photovoltaic trunk bus cable assemblies and components from entry into the United States. If ordered, the U.S. Trade Representative has 60 days to review the Commission's decision, and during that review subject articles may only enter the U.S. under bond.
Court-style cease-and-desist could stop sales
The statute allows cease and desist orders that could require the Voltage respondents to stop importing or selling the accused products in the United States. The ALJ recommended not issuing cease and desist orders, but the Commission may consider them when deciding final relief.
Importers may need to post a bond
If the Commission orders relief, subject articles may enter the United States under bond during the 60-day Presidential/USTR review period. The ALJ recommended a 100 percent bond for importations of infringing products during Presidential review, and the Commission is seeking comment on the bond amount.
Commission is re-reviewing domestic-industry finding
The Commission has decided to review in part the ALJ's finding that the complainant satisfied the economic prong of the domestic-industry requirement for the asserted patents. That review could affect whether a violation is sustained and what remedy, if any, is ultimately ordered.
Your PRIA Score
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this federal register document and every other regulation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-13416 — Magnesia Carbon Bricks From China and Mexico; Institution of Five-Year Reviews
The U.S. is checking if special taxes on magnesia carbon bricks from China and Mexico should stay or go. This review affects importers, manufacturers, and anyone involved in these bricks, with a deadline to share info by July 31, 2026. The results could impact prices and trade rules, so keep an eye out!
2026-13415 — Seamless Refined Copper Pipe and Tube From Vietnam; Institution of a Five-Year Review
The U.S. is checking if it should keep extra taxes on seamless refined copper pipes and tubes from Vietnam. This review started July 1, 2026, and affects businesses that make or sell these pipes in the U.S. If the taxes go away, it might hurt American companies, so the government wants to hear from everyone by July 31, 2026.
2026-13436 — Polyvinyl Alcohol From China and Japan; Scheduling of Expedited Five-Year Reviews
The U.S. International Trade Commission is speeding up its review to decide if special taxes on polyvinyl alcohol from China and Japan should continue. This affects companies that make or sell this material in the U.S. The review started on June 5, 2026, and could impact prices and trade rules soon.
2026-13411 — Metal Lockers From China; Institution of Five-Year Reviews
The U.S. is checking if metal lockers from China still need special import taxes to protect American makers. If these taxes are removed, it could hurt local businesses. Companies and folks interested have until July 31, 2026, to share their thoughts, so the government can decide what’s best.
2026-13417 — Ironing Tables From China; Institution of a Five-Year Review
The U.S. is reviewing whether to keep tariffs on ironing tables from China to protect American makers from unfair pricing. If the tariffs are removed, it could hurt U.S. businesses that make these tables. People and companies have until July 31, 2026, to share their thoughts before a final decision is made.
2026-13435 — Certain Systems, Devices, Software, Compositions, Chemicals, and Laboratory Supplies for Studying Proteins; Notice of Institution of Investigation
The U.S. International Trade Commission is starting an investigation because Seer, Inc. and Brigham and Women's Hospital say some imported protein research tools are breaking their patents. This could lead to stopping those products from being sold in the U.S., affecting companies that make or sell these tools. The investigation kicks off now and could impact the market and money flow in this field soon.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-08804 — Sunshine Act Meetings
The Railroad Retirement Board is holding a public meeting on May 13, 2026, at 10 a.m. Anyone interested must request dial-in info at least 24 hours before. The meeting will cover updates on legislative affairs and recent board activities, keeping everyone in the loop without any cost or delays.
Next: 2026-08806 — Initiation of Second Four-Year Review Process: China's Acts, Policies, and Practices Related to Technology Transfer, Intellectual Property, and Innovation
The U.S. is starting a big review of its trade rules against China that began in 2018, focusing on tech transfer and intellectual property. Companies in the U.S. that benefit from these rules can ask to keep them in place during two special 60-day windows in 2026. This review could affect tariffs on Chinese products and impact businesses and prices.