Litigation News

LONGi Green Energy and JinkoSolar reached a global settlement terminating all worldwide patent litigation between the companies and their affiliates. The agreement includes cross-licensing of selected core patents and establishes a commercial arrangement. Both solar manufacturers emphasized the settlement reflects shared commitment to IP protection and sustainable innovation in the photovoltaic sector, with plans to continue R&D investment and explore further collaboration opportunities.

Shoals Technologies leveraged its U.S. Patent No. 12,123,295 for the Big Lead Assembly (BLA) wiring solution in an ongoing lawsuit against Voltage, LLC, alleging patent infringement. Shoals is aggressively defending its intellectual property to protect its proprietary solar infrastructure innovations and maintain competitive advantages. The company faces legal and warranty costs associated with patent defense, which are impacting cash flow, but views IP protection as crucial for fair competition in the solar market.

JinkoSolar and Longi reached a global settlement ending patent litigation across China, US, Europe, Japan, and Australia. The dispute centered on competing solar cell technologies—TOPCon and back contact—after Jinko acquired 745 patents from LG Group in 2022. Both companies filed infringement suits and counterclaims over their respective patent portfolios. The settlement includes cross-licensing of core patents and signals industry shift toward IP collaboration between the world's two largest solar manufacturers.

Nintendo and The Pokémon Company sued Pocketpair in September 2024, alleging Palworld infringes patents related to sphere-based creature capture mechanics. Plaintiffs seek injunction and damages. Pocketpair's defense references an eight-year-old Grand Theft Auto V mod with similar mechanics as potential prior art. Nintendo argues mods are irrelevant since they depend on original games, unlike standalone projects. The case could set precedent for gameplay mechanic patent protection.

Nintendo sued Pocketpair in Japanese court over three patents related to Palworld game mechanics. Nintendo argues mods shouldn't count as prior art because they require underlying games to run. Pocketpair claims Nintendo's patents are invalid, citing gameplay videos and mods like Pocket Souls as prior art. Nintendo seeks broad patent interpretation and injunction despite Pocketpair's workarounds. Disputes center on capture mechanics, character deployment, and movement modes. Nintendo's patent amendment has delayed proceedings beyond 2025.

Nintendo and The Pokémon Company sued Pocketpair in Tokyo District Court over three Japanese patents related to creature-capturing mechanics in Palworld. Nintendo seeks injunction and $67,000 damages. Pocketpair defends using prior art including a 2020 Dark Souls 3 mod called Pocket Souls. Nintendo argues mods cannot qualify as prior art because they require underlying games. Patent analyst calls Nintendo's position "extreme" with broader implications for the modding community.

Federal Circuit addressed multiple design patent cases in 2024-2025, including LKQ v. GM which abandoned rigid Rosen-Durling obviousness standards. Key decisions involved Lashify v. ITC on Section 337 domestic industry requirements, Top Brand v. Cozy Comfort on claim scope surrender during prosecution, and North Star v. Latham on "plainly dissimilar" infringement analysis. North Star requested rehearing arguing the sufficiently distinct test lacks objective guidance. Pending cases include Smartrend v. Opti-Luxx on design claim construction and Range of Motion v. Armaid.

Nintendo filed patent litigation against Palworld developer Pocketpair at Tokyo District Court, claiming patent infringement. Nintendo modified patents mid-case and argues game mods shouldn't count as prior art to challenge patents. Pocketpair cites mods like Pocket Souls as prior art examples. Nintendo seeks injunction while Pocketpair claims it worked around alleged infringements. Litigation expert Florian Müller warns Nintendo's stance could allow companies to patent mod-pioneered mechanics. Case stalled until 2026 due to patent amendments.

Federal Court dismissed Regeneron and Bayer's interlocutory injunction application seeking to prevent Sandoz from launching biosimilar aflibercept products AFQLIR® and ENZEEVU® for treating eye conditions. Justice Helen Rofe delivered judgment on September 3, 2025, after six weeks of proceedings. MinterEllison represented Sandoz, led by partner Robert Cooper. The dispute involved Regeneron/Bayer's top-selling drug EYLEA® facing its first biosimilar competitor. Decision clears way for Sandoz's market entry in Australia.

Inari Agriculture filed mandamus petition asking Federal Circuit to overturn PTAB's denial of PGR challenging Pioneer Hi-Bred's inbred corn patent 11,659,803. PTAB denied Inari's obviousness challenge because Inari failed to sequence deposited seed genome defining claimed plant variety. Inari argues this creates unconstitutional "Catch-22" requiring challengers to risk infringement liability to file adequate PGR petitions, violating due process. Patent claims seed/plant of inbred maize variety described only through phenotypic characteristics without genetic sequence data.