Hanwha Q CELLS Wins Patent Invalidation Trial in China

[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Yoon-joo] Hanwha Q CELLS has received a 'patent validity decision' in the patent invalidation trial for cell technology patents filed by Chinese solar manufacturer LONGi Solar in China.

In July and August 2019, LONGi Solar filed invalidation trials for two patents related to Hanwha Q CELLS' silicon-based high-efficiency PERC cell technology with the 'Reexamination and Invalidation Department of the Patent Office of the China National Intellectual Property Administration.' However, in early November this year, the institution announced that Hanwha Q CELLS' patents are valid. As a result of this trial, it was reconfirmed that Hanwha Q CELLS can protect its intellectual property rights in China, which accounts for the largest share of global PERC production, based on these two patents.

Additionally, among the patents that received the 'validity decision,' Hanwha Q CELLS had filed a patent infringement lawsuit last year in Germany against three companies?Jinko Solar, LONGi Solar, and REC?that infringed on the PERC technology patent. In June, the D?sseldorf Regional Court in Germany ruled in favor of Hanwha Q CELLS in the first trial. Following the outcome of the German lawsuit, the defendants are prohibited from importing and selling infringing products in Germany and are also obligated to recall infringing products distributed since January 30 of last year.

Jung Ji-won, Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Hanwha Q CELLS, stated, "This decision is a great achievement that recognizes Hanwha Q CELLS' exclusive technological capabilities not only in solar sales regions but also in production regions," and added, "We will continue to proudly protect our intellectual property rights to promote healthy technological competition and the value of innovation."