BUDAPEST, Hungary, Jan. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — On 19 January 2026, the Korea Trade Commission (KTC) instituted a case based on claims filed by Tulip Innovation that Sunwoda’s lithium-ion battery cells and Geely Auto Group’s battery packs – supplied for a best-selling hybrid SUV in Korea – infringe a patent included in Tulip’s battery licensing program. This escalation of Tulip’s enforcement campaign against Sunwoda’s and its customers’ unlicensed activities follows patent actions filed in Germany and is the result of Sunwoda’s continued unwillingness to take a license.
The KTC action involves Korean Patent No. 10-1089135 and relates to the combination of an electrode and a battery separator, which is an important element for the safety and performance of a car battery. The asserted Korean patent is a counterpart of one of the European patents Tulip asserted in German cases that resulted in the issuance of three injunctions against Sunwoda last year.
As the licensing agent for a portfolio of over 5,000 patents owned by LG Energy Solution and Panasonic Energy, Tulip’s enforcement efforts are mainly directed at battery manufacturers but may also include customers that source batteries from unlicensed suppliers. The newly instituted Korean case demonstrates the global strength of the Tulip portfolio and indicates that companies operating downstream in the lithium-ion battery supply chain may have patent infringement liability relating to unlicensed products.
“Tulip initiated this action in Korea as part of its commitment to uphold fair and competitive market conditions in the battery industry,” explained Ferencz Farkas, Director of Tulip, adding that “our goal is to grant licenses under the portfolio to all lithium-ion battery manufacturers but, if needed, Tulip is prepared to enforce against different participants in the supply chain to protect Licensors’ intellectual property rights.”
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About Tulip Innovation
Tulip Innovation Kft. is an independent company founded to establish and manage the lithium-ion battery licensing program. Based in Hungary, the hub of European battery manufacturing, Tulip’s mission is to collaborate with companies implementing Li-ion battery technology to ensure that their manufacturing operations have access to Tulip’s robust IP portfolio. Led by a team of licensing professionals with decades of experience, Tulip has a unique combination of strong industry connections and expertise in negotiating and administering patent licenses. Additional information is available at http://www.tulipinnovation.com
