A high-profile patent dispute between Credo Semiconductor and several major cable and connector manufacturers—including Amphenol, Molex, TE Connectivity and Volex—has entered a new phase, with all related federal lawsuits now officially paused as the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) moves forward with its investigation.

Per multiple media reports, the case centers on Credo’s allegations of infringement of patents covering Active Electrical Cables (AECs) and related high-speed connectivity technology. It began with a complaint filed at the ITC on March 13, 2025. Credo also filed parallel lawsuits in federal courts in Delaware and Texas, asserting willful infringement and seeking damages, as well as an import ban on allegedly infringing products.

However, recent court filings show that both the Delaware and Texas cases have been stayed at the request of the defendants, with the agreement of all parties, under a federal statute that gives priority to ITC investigations in such matters. In Delaware, a judge granted an unopposed motion to stay proceedings on April 23, 2025, pending the outcome of the ITC investigation, including any appeals. Likewise, a Texas federal judge issued a similar stay in the case against TE Connectivity on April 18, 2025.

The Commission will determine whether the accused products infringe Credo’s patents and, if so, whether to issue an exclusion order blocking their import into the U.S. The outcome of this investigation will likely shape the next steps in the paused district court cases.

Credo’s complaint asserts that it invented and pioneered AEC technology, investing heavily in its development since 2017, and claims that the defendants’ products unlawfully use its patented innovations. The company says it notified the defendants of its patents as early as September 2023.