The second batter patent law suit between LG Chem and SK Innovation

Last April, the Patent Court of Korea affirmed that SK Innovation did not infringed LG Chemical’s Large and Medium sized secondary batter key material patent.

© LG Chmical | LG Chemical's Web page

The invalidation trial was initiated by SK Innovation at the end of 2011 when LG Chem filed a patent infringement lawsuit against SK Innovation. LG Chemical claimed that SK Innovation infringed LG’s key proprietary batter separator technology called the Safety Reinforced Separator, at Seoul Central District Court.


© Sk Innovation | SK Innovation Web page

The Intellectual Property Tribunal of the KIPO announced a judgment of a tribunal last August that the patent is invalid because there are no significant differences between LG Chemical’s patent and other prior technologies.  LG Chemical raised action against a trial decision to the patent court.

SK Innovation announced that they will speed up the secondary batter industry after the court decision.  SK Innovation’s Lithium-ion battery separator takes 19% of world market share, as the third biggest company in the world.


© Dominik Schwind | colorful batteries

LG Chemical said they cannot accept the patent court’s decision and expressed that they will appeal to the Supreme Court. LG mentioned that their SRS patent is established original technology by various auto makers.


© SK Innovation | Captured image from SK web page

If LG chemical’s patent become invalidate after the verdict, LG will be damaged by the result.  LG Chemical’s battery sale in 2012 was two billion dollars which takes 10% of their total sales.

However, under these circumstances, LG Chemical has little chance to win the case.

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