Court Sides with HS Hyosung in Tire Cord Patent Dispute

HS Hyosung: "Relieved by the wise decision"
Kolon Industries: "We will do our best to protect our rights"

HS Hyosung has won a legal battle against Kolon over the patent for hybrid tire cord (HTC).

According to industry sources on June 12, the 5th Division of the Patent Court upheld the claim of HS Hyosung Advanced Materials, the plaintiff in the HTC patent invalidation lawsuit against Kolon Industries, and overturned the decision of the Intellectual Property Trial and Appeal Board.

Previously, HS Hyosung Advanced Materials argued that Kolon Industries' patent for "hybrid fiber cord and its manufacturing method," registered in 2015, was based on technology widely known in the industry, and sought to invalidate the patent.

However, in March of last year, the Intellectual Property Trial and Appeal Board ruled that Kolon's HTC patent was valid. HS Hyosung Advanced Materials appealed the decision and ultimately won the case on this day.

At the center of the dispute is HTC, a next-generation tire cord made of aramid and nylon, for which demand has been increasing recently, particularly in the electric vehicle market.

HS Hyosung Advanced Materials claimed, "This is well-known technology that global tire manufacturers have used for 30 years," and added, "Our company has also been supplying products based on this technology for about 20 years."

Immediately after the ruling, HS Hyosung stated, "We are relieved that the court made a wise decision," and added, "Following this domestic ruling, we also expect a favorable outcome in the patent invalidation trial we have filed with the United States Patent Trial and Appeal Board."

The two companies are also engaged in a patent dispute in the United States, one of the largest electric vehicle markets. Kolon Industries has filed an HTC patent infringement lawsuit against HS Hyosung, while HS Hyosung has filed for invalidation of Kolon's HTC patent.

Kolon Industries stated, "We will do our best to protect the company's rights, including intellectual property rights." The company did not comment on whether it would appeal.