Cases & Deals

PI Advanced Materials obtains CAFC affirmance of summary judgment win in patent case regarding polyimide films

Client(s) PI Advanced Materials Co., Ltd.

Jones Day successfully obtained a Federal Circuit affirmance of a summary judgment win of non-infringement on behalf of PI Advanced Materials Co., Ltd. ("PIAM", formerly SKC Kolon PI, Inc. ("SKPI")). The Korea-based company is principally engaged in the manufacture and distribution of polyimide films. In August 2016, PIAM brought a lawsuit against Kaneka Corporation, which sought a declaration by the court that PIAM's polyimide films did not infringe Kaneka's U.S. Patent No. 7,691,961. Kaneka counterclaimed for infringement of U.S. Patent Nos 7,691,961; 9,441,082; and 6,264,866. In December 2018, PIAM selected Jones Day to take over the case set for trial just months away. After extending the case calendar, PIAM moved for summary judgment based on a novel strategy for non-infringement by showing that Kaneka's induced infringement claims lacked the factual showings necessary to meet a key legal requirement. In July 2019, the district court granted PIAM's motion for summary judgment of non-infringement by all accused products and entered judgment in favor of PIAM and against Kaneka on all claims for relief. Kaneka appealed the decision to the Federal Circuit, and oral argument was held on October 5, 2020. On March 16, 2021, the Federal Circuit unanimously affirmed the district court's grant of summary judgment.

SKC Kolon PI, Inc. v. Kaneka Corporation, No. 2-16-cv-05948 (C.D. Cal.); PI Advanced Materials Co., Ltd., fka SKC Kolon PI, Inc. v. Kaneka Corporation, Appeal No. 2019-2214 (Fed. Cir.)