JinkoSolar sees win in patent dispute with Q Cells

Chinese solar module maker JinkoSolar (NYSE:JKS) has scored a win in its patent dispute with Hanwha Q Cells.

JinkoSolar today said an order has just been issued by the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) in the patent-related US International Trade Commission (ITC) investigation, which says that the company’s motion for summary determination of non-infringement will be granted in two weeks. The hearing has been stayed indefinitely.

As previously announced, South Korea’s Hanwha Q Cells filed a patent infringement complaint with the ITC against JinkoSolar, claiming that the latter had unlawfully incorporated Hanwha Q Cells’ patented passivation technology into solar cells being imported and sold in the US.

"From the beginning, we have said that Hanwha Q CELLS' complaints were without technical or legal merit, and were only meant to slow us down. We are very pleased with today's order, which validates our position," said Kangping Chen, CEO of JinkoSolar.

In addition to JinkoSolar, Hanwha Q Cells took legal actions against REC Group of Norway and China’s Longi Solar. There are pending cases in the US, Germany and Australia.

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