Nextracker, a Flex company, has settled its patent-infringement lawsuit against Northern States Metals Company, which conducts its solar energy business under the name Solar FlexRack. Nextracker filed suit in federal court on June 25, 2020, in a matter titled “NEXTracker, Inc. v. Solar FlexRack and Northern States Metals Company,” (Case No. 1:20-cv-00849-MN [Delaware]).
The lawsuit alleges that Solar FlexRack infringed on patents related to single-axis tracker design with its TDP-2.0 solar tracker. In one section, Nextracker claims that “TDP-2.0 solar trackers in fact bear a striking resemblance to NEXTracker’s own patented solar trackers.”
Under the terms of the settlement agreement, Solar FlexRack will pay Nextracker royalties on qualifying sales revenue of Solar FlexRack’s TDP 2.0 solar tracker and certain related products, services and components. Other terms of the settlement were not disclosed, according to a press release.
“Nextracker treats its intellectual property very seriously, and we will vigorously defend our patent rights in all global markets in which we conduct business,” said Dan Shugar, Nextracker CEO. “We are pleased to reach an acceptable resolution to this litigation and look forward to our new commercial relationship with Solar FlexRack.”
News item from Nextracker
