Tulip Innovation Granted Additional Injunction Regarding Battery Patent against Sunwoda Group
In a significant development for the battery industry, Tulip Innovation has secured another patent injunction against the Sunwoda Group in German litigation. The latest court decision, issued by the Munich Regional (District) Court on July 17, 2025, marks Tulip's third successful enforcement against Sunwoda in this dispute.
The injunction is based on the European Patent EP 2 378 595 B1, which protects an electrode arrangement and complex separator arrangement in a battery. This patent, valid until December 2029, is applicable to any battery model that uses the patented technology, not just the specific models used in the Dacia Spring.
Tulip Innovation, acting as the licensing agent for a portfolio of over 5,000 patents owned by LG Energy Solution and Panasonic Energy, has sued Sunwoda Electronic, Sunwoda Mobility Energy Technology, and their German affiliates for patent infringement related to battery technology. The court found that Sunwoda infringed the patent EP 2 378 595 B1 and granted an injunction, requiring Sunwoda to recall and destroy batteries using the infringing technology, pay damages, and provide accounting details to calculate the damages.
Sunwoda has filed a parallel nullity action at the German Federal Patent Court challenging this patent, but the court's preliminary opinion indicated that the patent would likely be maintained in its original form. Tulip also submitted a narrower sub-claim to address new prior art introduced by Sunwoda in the nullity proceedings.
Previously, on May 22, 2025, Tulip had obtained two other injunctions in Germany based on two different pivotal patents related to battery separator technology.
The patent in question concerns the combination of electrodes and a battery separator, an essential element for the safety and performance of a car battery. The injunction was issued by the Munich District Court's 7th division.
Giustino de Sanctis, CEO of Tulip, stated that the decision reinforces the value of Tulip's program and demonstrates their commitment to fair market conditions in the battery industry. Andreas von Falck, Hogan Lovells Partner, is quoted as saying that the decision confirms the substantial burdens battery manufacturers will face in litigation if they operate without a license from Tulip.
Tulip Innovation is represented by a Hogan Lovells team, including Dr. Andreas von Falck, Dr. Alexander Klicznik, Dr. Roman Würtenberger, Dr. Markus Kuczera, Lea Gröblinghoff, Dr. Michael Plagge, and Dr. Yun-Suk Jang.
The decision is immediately enforceable against the provision of security but remains subject to appeal by Sunwoda. Tulip is confident that the decision will stand on appeal.
This development falls under the category of Business Development. Tulip looks forward to discussing broad licenses under the portfolio with all companies active in lithium-ion battery manufacturing.
[1] Tulip Innovation Obtains Additional Battery Patent Injunction against Sunwoda Group. (2025). Retrieved from https://www.tulipinnovation.com/news/tulip-innovation-obtains-additional-battery-patent-injunction-against-sunwoda-group/
[2] German Court Grants Tulip Innovation Injunction Against Sunwoda Group. (2025). Retrieved from https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-07-19/german-court-grants-tulip-innovation-injunction-against-sunwoda-group
[3] Tulip Innovation Wins Another Battery Patent Injunction Against Sunwoda Group. (2025). Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/technology/tulip-innovation-wins-another-battery-patent-injunction-against-sunwoda-group-2025-07-19/
[4] Tulip Innovation Secures Third Battery Patent Injunction Against Sunwoda Group. (2025). Retrieved from https://www.ipwatchdog.com/2025/07/19/tulip-innovation-secures-third-battery-patent-injunction-against-sunwoda-group/id=115463/
Technology played a significant role in the recent court decision made against the Sunwoda Group by Tulip Innovation. This decision, centered around the patent EP 2 378 595 B1, which covers an electrode arrangement and complex separator arrangement in a battery, is a testament to the importance of protecting innovative battery technology in the industry.
