Tulip Innovation Obtains Further Court Order Restraining Sunwoda Group from Using a Specific Battery Design
In a significant development, Tulip Innovation has secured a third injunction in Germany against Sunwoda Group, a Chinese company specializing in lithium-ion battery modules. This legal victory is related to battery electrode and separator technology, as protected by European Patent EP 2 378 595 B1.
The Munich District Court's 7th division, presiding over the case, ruled in favour of Tulip on 17 July 2025. The decision grants Tulip the requested injunctive relief, including a sales ban, recall, and destruction of infringing batteries, and damages in principle. Detailed accounting for damage calculation is also required from Sunwoda [1][2][3][4].
This decision follows earlier injunctions granted in May 2025, marking a consistent legal success for Tulip in Germany against multiple Sunwoda entities, including Sunwoda Electronic, Sunwoda Mobility Energy Technology, and their German affiliates [2][3].
The patent at the heart of the dispute remains valid until December 2029. However, Sunwoda has filed a parallel nullity suit at the German Federal Patent Court, challenging the validity of EP 2 378 595 B1. The preliminary opinion suggests the patent is likely to be maintained in its original form, although Sunwoda has introduced additional prior art that has yet to be addressed [1].
Tulip Innovation acts as the licensing agent for a portfolio of over 5,000 patents owned mainly by LG Energy Solution and Panasonic Energy. The batteries at issue in the case are specific models used in the Dacia Spring, but the patent is applicable to any battery model that uses the patented technology [5].
Andreas von Falck, Hogan Lovells Partner, represented Tulip in the case. Giustino de Sanctis, CEO of Tulip, stated that the decision reinforces the value of Tulip's program and demonstrates their commitment to upholding fair and competitive market conditions in the battery industry [6].
The new injunction underscores the strength and breadth of the battery patent portfolio licensed by Tulip. It also confirms that battery manufacturers implementing technology covered by the portfolio will face substantial burdens in litigation if they choose to operate without a license [7].
Sources:
[1] https://www.jurist.org/news/2025/07/german-court-grants-tulip-innovation-third-injunction-against-sunwoda-group/ [2] https://www.reuters.com/business/legal/german-court-grants-tulip-innovation-another-injunction-against-sunwoda-2025-07-17/ [3] https://www.ipwatchdog.com/2025/07/19/tulip-innovation-wins-another-battery-patent-injunction-against-sunwoda-group-in-germany/id=143334/ [4] https://www.iamb.com/know-how/know-how/german-court-orders-sunwoda-to-recall-and-destroy-infringing-batteries-in-patent-dispute-with-tulip-innovation/12213746 [5] https://www.fierceelectronics.com/electronics/tulip-innovation-wins-third-injunction-against-sunwoda-group-in-germany [6] https://www.law360.com/articles/1511656/tulip-innovation-wins-third-german-patent-injunction-against-sunwoda [7] https://www.patentbuddy.com/news/tulip-innovation-wins-third-injunction-against-sunwoda-group-in-germany/
- The Munich District Court's decision on July 17, 2025, has significant implications for the finance sector, as it requires Sunwoda to compensate Tulip for damages and undertake a detailed accounting of the claimed damages.
- The consistent legal victories obtained by Tulip Innovation in Germany against Sunwoda entities, particularly in the realm of battery technology, are worthy of note in the broader context of international industry-finance relations.
