Innometry in patent lawsuit over battery equipment 

Battery X-ray inspection equipment maker Innometry was embroiled in a patent lawsuit with a competitor, TheElec had learned.

The company recently won the patent violation and injunction lawsuit filed by rival Xavis. Xavis first filed the injunction request on October, 2018.

However, Xavis won the suit at the Korea Patent Office, which considered its patents valid.

The lawsuit and patent review are being done concurrently and the decision by the Office will likely affect the lawsuit in court and may negatively impact Innometry.

The patents relate to transfer and fastening of prismatic and circular batteries. Xavis claim Innometry stole this technology that is needed in the X-ray equipment. Innometry claim these technologies are not crucial for the equipment, and only one component that can be easily swapped.

X-ray inspection equipment in battery production line must be quick. Batteries must be placed at exact points, which requires proper transfer and fastening technology.

Innometry was founded by Xavis lab director Kim Jun-bo in 2008. The company began selling the equipment in 2012 and grew by supplying to LG Chem, Samsung SDI and SK Innovation. It listed on KOSDAQ in 2018. Nexteye previously was the largest shareholder of Innometry with a 40.6% stake. South Korean private equity fund Eastbridge Partners recently acquired 36.5% from Nexteye and 7% from Kim’s stake of 17.21% to become the largest shareholder. 

And one time SK Group was rumored to be planning to acquire Innometry.