On July 17, 2025, Tulip Innovation defeated the China-based Sunwoda Group of firms in a German lawsuit pertaining to battery electrode and separator technology, resulting in yet another injunction. In addition to two earlier injunctions granted to Tulip by the court in different proceedings on May 22, 2025, the Munich District Court’s 7th division’s ruling adds a third injunction against the Sunwoda Group. Hogan Lovells represented Tulip, which is the licensing agency for a portfolio of more than 5,000 patents held by Panasonic Energy and LG Energy Solution.
Based on the German portion of European Patent EP 2 378 595 B1, Tulip’s case against Sunwoda Electronic, Sunwoda Mobility Energy Technology, and its German affiliates Sunwoda Europe and Sunwoda Electric Vehicle Battery Germany resulted in the most recent ruling. The date of the oral hearing was July 3, 2025. Two weeks following the hearing, on July 17, 2025, the verdict in favor of Tulip was delivered, giving Tulip the required injunctive relief against the contested batteries. Tulip’s requests for further relief were also approved, and Sunwoda was required to pay Tulip damages in principle, recall and destroy any batteries that were still in its direct or indirect possession, and give Tulip comprehensive accounting data so that Tulip could compute its damages claim.
The latest injunction demonstrates the depth and scope of Tulip’s battery patent portfolio and affirms that battery producers using the portfolio’s technology will be subject to significant legal costs if they decide to operate without a license.
Giustino de Sanctis, CEO of Tulip, noted: “This decision reinforces the value of Tulip’s program and demonstrates our commitment to upholding fair and competitive market conditions in the battery industry. Tulip looks forward to discussing broad licenses under the portfolio with all companies active in lithium-ion battery manufacturing.”
Andreas von Falck, Hogan Lovells Partner, attached: “We are very pleased with this confirmation of the strength of Tulip’s patent position by the Munich District Court. The patent in this case has a maximum term of 21 December 2029. The decision is well reasoned and we are confident that the decision will stand on appeal.”
The combination of electrodes and a battery separator—a crucial component for an automobile battery’s performance and safety—is the subject of the contested patent. Although the batteries in question are particular versions used in the Dacia Spring, the patent can be applied to any battery model that uses the patented technique.
Although Sunwoda has the right to appeal the verdict, which is immediately enforceable against the security provision, Sunwoda has filed a separate nullity case over the pending patent.
A team from Hogan Lovells, including Drs. Andreas von Falck, Alexander Klicznik, Roman Würtenberger, Markus Kuczera, Lea Gröblinghoff, Michael Plagge, and Yun-Suk Jang, is representing Tulip in the proceedings. A&O Shearman represents Sunwoda.
Electrify your feed! Click here to join our Whatsapp group and to get the latest updates, expert insights, and innovations driving India’s energy storage revolution.
