Munich: LG Energy Solution Ltd. (LGES), South Korea's leading battery maker, has secured a victory in another patent lawsuit in Germany against China's Sunwoda Group, a patent management firm representing LGES announced Thursday.
According to Yonhap News Agency, this marks the third favorable decision for LGES following a previous ruling by the Munich District Court in May. The court had upheld injunction requests from Hungary-based patent management firm Tulip Innovation Kft., which sought to prevent Sunwoda Group affiliates from selling lithium-ion batteries in Germany.
The ruling requires Sunwoda to cease sales of batteries utilizing LGES' patented technology in Germany. Additionally, Sunwoda must recall and destroy any remaining inventory in its possession, pay damages, and provide detailed accounting records to support Tulip in calculating its full damage claim, as per Tulip's press release.
The court identified that Sunwoda's prismatic battery, employed in the all-electric Dacia Spring vehicle, infringed on LGES' core lithium-ion battery technology, notably its patented electrode and separator technology.
"This decision demonstrates our commitment to upholding fair and competitive market conditions in the battery industry. Tulip looks forward to discussing broad licenses under the portfolio with all companies active in lithium-ion battery manufacturing," remarked Tulip Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Giustino de Sanctis in the release.
Although Sunwoda is expected to appeal the ruling, Tulip has expressed confidence in the likelihood that the ruling will be upheld.