#Germany #Munich #Maxeon Solar #Patent Infringement #AIKO Solar

Maxeon Solar Technologies Expands Legal Strategy Against Aiko

In a significant move to safeguard its intellectual property, Maxeon Solar Technologies, Ltd. has filed a new patent infringement lawsuit against Aiko Solar at the Munich Regional Court I in Germany. This legal action targets Aiko and its European distribution network for the alleged infringement of Maxeon's core back contact (BC) solar technology patent, specifically EP2297789B1, also known as "EP789." The lawsuit focuses on Aiko's second-generation and third-generation BC solar module products that are currently being marketed within the European region.

This isn't the first legal skirmish over patent rights between Maxeon and Aiko. The recent complaint follows earlier actions taken by Maxeon against Aiko and its sales channels, which included a claim filed in 2023 at the Mannheim Regional Court regarding another patent, EP2297788, and a subsequent lawsuit in 2024 concerning patent EP3065184 at the Unified Patent Court (UPC) in Düsseldorf. Notably, all these patents are associated with Maxeon's back contact solar technology family.

Maxeon's legal team is striving for a permanent injunction to prevent Aiko from continuing its alleged infringing activities. Additionally, the company aims to secure a court order requiring Aiko to disclose sales data related to the items in question and to compensate for damages incurred due to the infringement. Furthermore, Maxeon is also pushing for the destruction of infringing inventory held within Germany. Within this lawsuit, Maxeon has not only targeted Aiko but has also named four prominent German solar distributors—Wattkraft GmbH & Co. KG, DWH Solutions GmbH, Memodo GmbH, and Tepto GmbH—as co-defendants, underlining the company's determination to address the broader impact of the infringement across the sales network.

Marc Robinson, Maxeon's Associate General Counsel, commented on the company's stance: "Maxeon firmly believes in promoting free and fair competition while safeguarding our intellectual property rights throughout the sales chain, especially with regard to manufacturers, distributors, and major customers. Distributors dealing with infringing products may be held liable for injunctions and damages, irrespective of their manufacturing status." This statement emphasizes the company's intent to reiterate the risks associated with patent infringement that extend beyond just the manufacturers to include those within the distribution chain.

Maxeon Solar Technologies has established its presence in the European market since 2007, historically under the SunPower brand, which is currently marketed as TCL SunPower. The recent lawsuit signifies not only a commitment to defending its innovation but also a broader message to all entities engaged in the sale of solar products.

Conclusion

As the solar energy sector continues to grow and evolve, the emphasis on protecting intellectual property becomes increasingly critical. Maxeon Solar Technologies' legal actions against Aiko serve as a vital reminder of the need for all companies involved in the industry to respect intellectual property rights and the consequences of infringement. This situation highlights ongoing challenges the solar market faces as it navigates innovation, competition, and legal complexities in a rapidly shifting landscape.