À̹ÌÁö È®´ë The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) on Monday (local time) put off its final ruling on patent dispute between LG Chem Ltd. and SK Innovation Co. for the second time, giving the two Korean battery majors more than a month to work possibly on an out-of-court settlement.
The ITC scheduled to announce its final decision on the alleged industrial theft case involving the two Korean battery rivals on Monday suspended its ruling to Dec. 10 after a delay earlier this month.
Although it did not specify its reason, the resurgence of the Covid-19 in the United States could be a factor behind the delay.
LG Chem shares closed Tuesday 2.17 percent lower at 632,000 won while SK Innovation remained unchanged at 131,500 won.
The repeated suspension also underscores the complexity of the case that involves two major investors running big factories on U.S. soil and hiring a large number of local Americans. The two also supply to global finished car makers – Tesla, GM, Volkswagen and Ford.
In April last year, LG Chem filed trade complaints against SK Innovation over misappropriation of EV battery trade secrets. LG Chem accused the rival of stealing core battery technologies by hiring former LG employees. It claimed that SK Innovation deliberately stole 76 core employees in research development, quality management, purchase, and sales. It is seeking to block sale and production of SK Innovation¡¯s batteries in the U.S.
À̹ÌÁö È®´ë SK Innovation denied any wrongdoing and countersued LG Chem in Korea two months later, claiming damages for defamation. In August last year, it also filed a lawsuit with the U.S. ITC, accusing LG Chem of infringing its patents.
The ITC in its preliminary review in February ruled in favor of LG Chem, citing extensive destruction of evidence by SK Innovation in the discovery process in November
SK Innovation appealed and the ITC agreed to review, leaving the final ruling. Most believe LG Chem would come out as the winner as ITC preliminary findings are rarely overturned.
But even if SK Innovation loses, the ban on its products can be vetoed by U.S. President Donald Trump as he won¡¯t likely afford losing jobs ahead of the presidential election.
By Won Ho-sup and Lee Eun-joo
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