Cases & Deals

SK Innovation resolves global patent dispute with LG Chem / LG Energy Solution over lithium-ion battery technology

Client(s) SK Innovation Co., Ltd

Jones Day advised SK Innovation Co., Ltd. and SK Battery America, Inc. in connection with the settlement of their global patent dispute with LG Chem Ltd. involving lithium-ion battery technology used in electric vehicles.  Following a favorable Initial Determination ("ID") by the International Trade Commission (ITC) in March, Jones Day clients SK Innovation Co., Ltd. and SK Battery America, Inc., resolved their global dispute with LG Chem Ltd. (and its recently formed LG Energy Solution Ltd.). The agreement to settle the legal disputes relating to lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles was announced on April 11, 2021 (Korea time). Following the announcement, the pending ITC investigations were terminated, the pending petitions seeking review of a number of discretionary denials of inter partes review petitions before the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office's Patent Trial & Appeal Board (PTAB) were withdrawn and terminated, and the related, but stayed, district court litigation in Delaware was dismissed.

LG Chem, Ltd. et al. v. SK Innovation Co., Ltd. et al., No. 1-19-cv-01805 (D. Del.); Certain Lithium-Ion Battery Cells, Battery Modules, Battery Packs, Components Thereof, And Products Containing the Same, Investigation No. 337-TA-1181 (ITC)