U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has determined that Innoscience’s redesigned semiconductor chips no longer infringe upon patents held by Efficient Power Conversion Corporation (EPC). This decision follows a prior ruling by the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) that had restricted the importation of certain Innoscience products due to patent violations.
In November 2024, the ITC found that Innoscience’s gallium nitride (GaN) power devices infringed on EPC’s U.S. Patent No. 8,350,294, leading to an exclusion order that barred the importation of the infringing products into the United States. ([semiconductor-today.com](https://www.semiconductor-today.com/news_items/2024/nov/epc-innoscience-111124.shtml?utm_source=openai))
In response, Innoscience developed a design-around solution to address the infringement issues. On February 21, 2026, CBP issued a ruling confirming that these modified products do not infringe EPC’s patent, allowing Innoscience to resume normal importation and sales of its GaN semiconductor devices in the U.S. market. ([innoscience.com](https://www.innoscience.com/news/press-releases/8800?utm_source=openai))
This development marks a significant milestone in the ongoing legal disputes between Innoscience and EPC. The CBP’s decision effectively concludes the Section 337 investigation initiated by EPC, which had been ongoing for over two years. ([innoscience.com](https://www.innoscience.com/news/press-releases/8800?utm_source=openai))
Innoscience’s success in navigating these legal challenges underscores the importance of strategic patent management and the ability to adapt product designs to comply with intellectual property laws. The company’s commitment to innovation and adherence to legal standards have enabled it to maintain its position in the competitive GaN semiconductor market.
As the semiconductor industry continues to evolve, this case highlights the critical role of intellectual property rights and the necessity for companies to proactively address potential infringement issues to ensure uninterrupted access to key markets.