Highest court in China renders final judgement to maintain Asahi Kasei’s patent for battery separators
Düsseldorf, 10 January 2023 – The Japanese technology company Asahi Kasei has been successful in winning various litigation disputes relating to patents for lithium-ion battery separators. On November 2, 2022, The Supreme People’s Court of the People’s Republic of China rendered the final judgement to maintain Asahi Kasei’s patent for battery separators in China.
Patent infringement lawsuit since 2018
The recent judgement was preceded by four years of litigation disputes related to patents for lithium-ion battery separators in Asia. In August 2018, Asahi Kasei filed a patent infringement lawsuit with Shenzhen Intermediate People’s Court against Shenzhen Xu Ran Electronic Co., Ltd. and Shenzhen Xu Ran Electronic Co., Ltd. in Shenzhen, China, as joint defendants, based on the patent owned by Asahi Kasei, aiming at prohibiting Xu Ran Electronic and Others from selling their “single-layer W-scope” battery separators in China and compensation for damages (a total of 1 million yuan).
In December 2020, the Supreme People’s Court of the People’s Republic of China rendered a final decision which fully accepted Asahi Kasei’s claim of patent infringement and ordered to stop selling the above products and to pay compensation for damages.
In response to the court’s decision, Shenzhen Xu Ran Electronic Co., Ltd. requested the invalidation of Asahi Kasei’s patent. The China National Intellectual Property Administration made a decision to maintain the patent, and in response, the other party filed an appeal with the Beijing Intellectual Property Court of the People’s Republic of China. However, a judgement to maintain the Patent was rendered on September 28, 2021.
The other party further filed an appeal with the Supreme People’s Court of the People’s Republic of China, however, this time the final judgment was rendered as above. Asahi Kasei will pay close attention to issues concerning intellectual property rights, and if deemed necessary, take specific measures proactively against any infringement.
About the Asahi Kasei Corporation
The Asahi Kasei Group contributes to life and living for people around the world. Since its foundation in 1922 with ammonia and cellulose fiber businesses, Asahi Kasei has consistently grown through the proactive transformation of its business portfolio to meet the evolving needs of every age. With more than 46,000 employees around the world, the company contributes to a sustainable society by providing solutions to the world’s challenges through its three business sectors of Material, Homes, and Health Care. Its Materials sector, comprised of Environmental Solutions, Mobility & Industrial, and Life Innovation, includes a wide array of products from battery separators and biodegradable textiles to engineering plastics and sound solutions.
For more information, visit
www.asahi-kasei-plastics.com, www.asahi-kasei.com and www.asahi-kasei.eu.
Asahi Kasei is also dedicated to sustainability initiatives and is contributing to reaching a carbon neutral society by 2050. To learn more, visit www.asahi-kasei.com/sustainability/.
North America Media Inquiries
ATTN: Jonathan Todd
Asahi Kasei America, Inc.
AKA-info@ak-america.com
www.asahi-kasei.com
Europe Media Inquiries
ATTN: Sebastian Schmidt
Asahi Kasei Europe GmbH
AKEU-Info@asahi-kasei.eu
www.asahi-kasei.eu