JinkoSolar and Longi Green Energy announced that they and their subsidiaries have reached a global settlement covering all ongoing patent litigation. The agreement concludes litigation in China, the United States, Europe, Japan, and Australia and establishes a commercial arrangement, including a cross-licensing agreement for certain core patents.
Both parties described the agreement as a commitment to intellectual property protection and industry collaboration. JinkoSolar and Longi stated they will continue to invest in research and development, accelerate the commercialization of advanced technologies, and explore deeper collaboration.
The litigation, which lasted over a year, centered around two competing cell technologies: JinkoSolar's tunneling oxide passivation contact (TOPCon) and Longi's back contact (BC). The dispute epitomized the industry's shift from price competition to patent and technology dominance.
The dispute arose in 2022, when JinkoSolar acquired 745 patents from South Korea's LG Group, strengthening its position in TOPCon and BC technologies. JinkoSolar subsequently launched a series of infringement lawsuits worldwide, including suing Longi in China and Japan for TOPCon patent infringement, and filing lawsuits in Europe and Australia, attempting to restrict the promotion of Longi's BC modules.
Longi retaliated with its nearly 200 BC technology patents, suing JinkoSolar in the US and China for infringement of BC design patents and seeking the revocation of some of JinkoSolar's patents in Europe and the US. Meanwhile, Longi accelerated the commercialization of its BC products, gaining market share in Europe, highlighting the commercial interests behind them.
Ultimately, this patent war was a battle of both technology and business strategy. The settlement represents a significant turning point. Cross-licensing not only reduces legal risks for both parties but also suggests that the industry may be moving from intense intellectual property defense to pragmatic cooperation.
In a joint statement, JinkoSolar and Longi stated that they would "explore opportunities for deeper cooperation," leaving room for future collaboration on next-generation battery technologies.
JinkoSolar and Longi Green Energy announced that they and their subsidiaries have reached a global settlement covering all ongoing patent litigation. The agreement concludes litigation in China, the United States, Europe, Japan, and Australia and establishes a commercial arrangement, including a cross-licensing agreement for certain core patents.
Both parties described the agreement as a commitment to intellectual property protection and industry collaboration. JinkoSolar and Longi stated they will continue to invest in research and development, accelerate the commercialization of advanced technologies, and explore deeper collaboration.
The litigation, which lasted over a year, centered around two competing cell technologies: JinkoSolar's tunneling oxide passivation contact (TOPCon) and Longi's back contact (BC). The dispute epitomized the industry's shift from price competition to patent and technology dominance.
The dispute arose in 2022, when JinkoSolar acquired 745 patents from South Korea's LG Group, strengthening its position in TOPCon and BC technologies. JinkoSolar subsequently launched a series of infringement lawsuits worldwide, including suing Longi in China and Japan for TOPCon patent infringement, and filing lawsuits in Europe and Australia, attempting to restrict the promotion of Longi's BC modules.
Longi retaliated with its nearly 200 BC technology patents, suing JinkoSolar in the US and China for infringement of BC design patents and seeking the revocation of some of JinkoSolar's patents in Europe and the US. Meanwhile, Longi accelerated the commercialization of its BC products, gaining market share in Europe, highlighting the commercial interests behind them.
Ultimately, this patent war was a battle of both technology and business strategy. The settlement represents a significant turning point. Cross-licensing not only reduces legal risks for both parties but also suggests that the industry may be moving from intense intellectual property defense to pragmatic cooperation.
In a joint statement, JinkoSolar and Longi stated that they would "explore opportunities for deeper cooperation," leaving room for future collaboration on next-generation battery technologies.
