US patent office rejects SK Innovation’s patent invalidation bid

SK Innovation’s claim that LG Energy Solution’s electric vehicle battery patent was invalid was rejected by US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

The Patent Trial and Appeal Board under USPTO rejected SK’s request to start an investigation on the matter.

SK claimed 8 patents related to cathode and separator ceramic coating were invalid.

There is now way SK can appeal the decision as their won’t be any investigation.

In contrast, LG Energy Solution’s similar request to invalidate a patent related to battery module owned by SK in March 2020 has started in September of that year. The result is expected in the second half of 2021.

Meanwhile, LG and SK are awaiting the final judgment by US International Trade Commission on their trade secret leak case. After delays, the date has been set to February 10.

The pair also are also involved in two other lawsuits at the commission besides the one on trade secret leak.