The number of patent applications in Korea has steadily increased in 5 recent years. According to statistics from KIPO, the number of patent applications in 2013 was 204,589 that was 8.6% increase compared to that of 2012. 44,894 new patent applications among them were filed by foreign applicants. It has increased by 11.7% compared with the numbers during the same period in 2012. We could observe the steady increases in the numbers of patent applications from foreign applicants by in recent 5 years that ranges from 5.8% to 11.7%.
Considering the background of such steady increases, we could observe that many Korean companies became key players in the world's major manufacturers and sellers of smartphones, semiconductors, display panels, TVs, etc. Accordingly manufacturers of parts and raw materials have critical interests in Korean market, too. Naturally they need IP protection about their businesses in Korea and have filed more patent applications in Korea.
Showing posts with label auto. Show all posts
Showing posts with label auto. Show all posts
EV Battery Patent Infringement Lawsuits – LG Chem vs. SK Innovation
Two Korean companies, LG Chem and SK Innovation are major suppliers for EV batteries to top 10 global car makers including GM, VW, Renault, etc. In 2012, LG Chem filed a patent infringement lawsuit against SK Innovation at the Seoul Central District Court. The court for the first instance trial held last Friday that LG’s patent was not infringed by SK Innovation.
The patent in issue is directed to the inorganic material-coated separator that is a key part of large rechargeable batteries for EV battery. The court held that SK Innovation’s inorganic material-coated separator has a different structure from the porous structure of the active layer coating the separator of LG Chem’s patented invention.
On the other hand, under the bifurcated system in Korean patent law, SK Innovation challenged the validity of LG Chem’s patent and was successful in invalidity proceedings at the IPT of KIPO and further at the Patent Court. However, the Supreme Court revoked the lower court decision of invalidity and returned the case to the Patent Court. The invalidity case is pending at the Patent Court.
LG Chem announced to appeal the first instance court decision to the Seoul High Court immediately after they received the losing decision.