Japan-based Kyocera Corp. has filed a patent infringement lawsuit related to solar modules against a Japanese subsidiary of Germany-based Hanwha Q CELLS.
According to Kyocera, the company filed a complaint in Tokyo District Court against Hanwha Q CELLS Japan Co. Ltd., claiming infringement regarding Kyocera's Japanese patent for a ‘three-bus-bar electrode structure’ that the company says increases energy conversion efficiency in solar modules (Japanese patent no. 4953562).
In a statement, the company says," Kyocera recognizes intellectual property as a vital company asset and will take those measures necessary to protect and enforce it."
Kyocera says it patented the technology in March 2012 and is filing the lawsuit following"extensive negotiations," regarding the patent. Furthermore, the company notes it is negotiating with other parties over the patent.
No further details were disclosed. Meanwhile, a Hanwha Q CELLS spokesperson says the company has yet to receive a copy of the petition and, therefore, will refrain from making comments on details." We will review the petition thoroughly and take appropriate actions," the spokesperson says." Then we will also inform the media and general public."
