LG Chem loses another patent ruling

LG Chem lost its patent case against SK Innovation after the Patent Court of Korea upheld a decision by the Korean Intellectual Property Tribunal.

SK Innovation, the nation’s largest energy company, said the court dismissed the lawsuit LG Chem filed last year challenging the Korean Intellectual Property Tribunal’s decision to revoke its patents on the inorganic material-coated separator, a key material used for large to midsize rechargeable batteries.

“The ruling once again recognizes SK Innovation’s commitment to homegrown component technologies” SK Innovation said in a release. “Capitalizing on the proprietary technologies, SK Innovation will foster the new renewable energy businesses such as EV [electric-vehicle] batteries and battery separators as future growth drivers, which will contribute to the realization of Korea’s vision for the creative economy.”

The Patent Court of Korea’s decision to dismiss LG Chem’s appeal upheld the Korean Intellectual Property Tribunal’s ruling in August.

The affiliate of SK Group said the successive wins demonstrate its technological prowess in key components used for large to midsize rechargeable batteries.

SK Innovation was previously involved in a patent lawsuit.

When SK Innovation successfully produced a lithium-ion battery separator, or LiBS, using its proprietary technologies for the first time as a Korean company in 2006, Tonen Chemical filed a patent infringement lawsuit.

However, the company won favorable rulings at every stage of the legal proceedings - the trial court, appellate court and Supreme Court.

Meanwhile, LG Chem said yesterday it will appeal the patent court’s decision.

By Joo Kyung-don [kjoo@joongang.co.kr]

By Joo Kyung-don