Seoul court favors LG Chem vs SK Innovation in EV battery case

The Seoul Central District Court turned down SK Innovation's civil lawsuit and damage compensation filed against LG Chem in an electric vehicle (EV) battery patent case filed in October.

SK Innovation's lawsuit stemmed from a complaint filed by LG Chem against it at the International Trade Commissions (ITC) in April 2019 for poaching talents and trade secrets.

SK Innovation demanded that LG Chem dropped the complaint and compensate 1 billion won in damages based on their 2014 agreement that they would not engage in a legal battle concerning a specific technology, patented under the registration No. 775,310 in Korea.

Meanwhile, LG Chem pointed out that it can settle a dispute with SK Innovation over their EV battery trade secret case in the US if SK Innovation offers a "reasonable level" of compensation based on an objective basis.

LG Chem added that the legal process in Korea and at the ITC were separate, a point accepted by the court in Seoul.

SK Innovation will appeal the ruling with the Seoul High Court.

LG Chem vowed to pursue two legal actions against SK Innovation in the US unless the latter shows a sincere attitude.

The US International Trade Commission is scheduled to hand its final ruling in October.