BUDAPEST, Hungary, January 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — On January 19, 2026, the Korea Commerce Commission (KTC) filed suit based on claims filed by Tulip Innovation that Sunwoda’s lithium-ion battery cells and Geely Auto Group’s battery packs – supplied for a top-selling hybrid SUV in Korea – infringe a patent included in Tulip’s battery licensing program. This escalation of Tulip’s enforcement campaign against the unlicensed activities of Sunwoda and its customers follows patent actions filed in Germany and is the result of Sunwoda’s continued refusal to obtain a license.
The KTC action concerns Korean Patent No. 10-1089135 and concerns the combination of an electrode and a battery separator, which is an important part for the safety and performance of a car battery. The claimed Korean patent is a counterpart to one of the European patents claimed by Tulip in German cases that resulted in the issuance of three injunctions against Sunwoda last year.
As the licensing agent for a portfolio of more than 5,000 patents owned by LG Energy Solution and Panasonic Energy, Tulip’s implementation efforts are primarily directed toward battery manufacturers, but may also include customers who source batteries from unlicensed suppliers. The newly filed Korean case demonstrates the global strength of the Tulip portfolio and indicates that companies operating downstream in the lithium-ion battery supply chain may be held liable for patent infringement related to unlicensed products.
“Tulip launched this action in Korea as part of its commitment to maintaining 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 necessary, Tulip is ready to take legal action against the various participants in the supply chain to protect the intellectual property rights of the licensors.”
About Tulip Innovation
Tulipe Innovation Kft. is an independent company founded to establish and manage the lithium-ion battery licensing program. Headquartered in Hungary, the hub of European battery manufacturing, Tulip’s mission is to collaborate with companies implementing Li-ion battery technology to ensure 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 relationships and expertise in patent licensing negotiation and administration. Additional information is available at www.tulipinnovation.com
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SOURCE Tulipe Innovation KFT
