Photo: Yicai Global
Tulip Innovation, a non-practicing entity (NPE) managing a patent portfolio of over 5,000 patents from LG Energy Solution and Panasonic Energy, secured a German injunction against Chinese lithium-ion battery manufacturer Sunwoda on May 22, according to reports from earlier last week.
Tulip said that the Munich District Court’s 7th Division granted the injunctions based on two LG patents related to battery separator technology: EP 1 829 139 B1 and EP 2 528 141 B1.
The court also ruled in favor of Tulip’s requests for additional relief. These include obligations for Sunwoda to recall and destroy any remaining batteries in its possession—whether directly or indirectly—and to compensate Tulip for damages in principle. Furthermore, Sunwoda must provide detailed accounting information to enable Tulip to calculate its damages claim.
This decision marks the first injunction in Germany involving automotive batteries, as noted by Tulip.
Sunwoda has reportedly filed invalidation challenges against the two contested patents at the German Federal Patent Court. However, the court is not expected to rule on their validity until the summer of 2026.
At this stage, Tulip has not yet enforced the ruling, meaning Sunwoda is not required to destroy all batteries imported into Germany. The Chinese manufacturer is also still free to sell its products outside of Germany.
Tulip, based in Hungary, was established in May last year to oversee and manage the lithium-ion battery licensing program that consolidates the patent portfolios of LG Energy Solution and Panasonic Energy.
The dispute with Sunwoda is part of Tulip's broader campaign targeting Chinese battery manufacturers. The NPE had previously taken legal action against CosMX and BAK Power, both of which filed nullity actions against the same contested patents (EP 1 829 139 B1 and EP 2 528 141 B1). However, these companies later reached settlements with Tulip, as disclosed by insiders.
