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Photo = Yonhap news |
[Alpha Biz= Kim Jisun] LG Chem has recently encountered a setback in a battery patent dispute in China, where its patent for a "Method of Manufacturing Cathode Active Material and Cathode for Lithium-Ion Batteries" has been invalidated.
According to industry sources on Monday, the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) issued a decision invalidating the patent. The CNIPA cited that the patent’s description was insufficient, making it impossible to reproduce the technology.
Though the lawsuit was filed by an individual, industry insiders believe the dispute stems from a broader patent battle between LG Chem and the Chinese company Longbai.
Last year, LG Chem filed a patent infringement lawsuit at the Seoul Central District Court against Zai Seneng, a subsidiary of Longbai in South Korea. LG Chem accused Zai Seneng of infringing its ternary cathode material technology.
Cathode materials are critical components of battery production, accounting for roughly 40% of the cost of manufacturing batteries and significantly affecting their lifespan. LG Chem reportedly analyzed samples of Longbai’s cathode materials and found multiple instances of patent infringement, prompting the lawsuit.
The Chinese patent in question is a counterpart to the patent under litigation in South Korea, and experts interpret the invalidation by Chinese authorities as a counteraction following LG Chem’s legal move.
With the Chinese authorities’ decision to invalidate the patent, Longbai may now use this ruling to bolster its defense in the ongoing legal proceedings in South Korea.
This marks the first major patent dispute between Chinese and Korean firms in the electric vehicle battery sector, and the outcome could set a precedent for future cathode material patent battles. The domestic battery industry is increasingly facing challenges as latecomer companies from China and other regions are allegedly infringing on existing technologies to expand their market share.
Alphabiz Reporter Kim Jisun(stockmk2020@alphabiz.co.kr)
