“高塔专利侵权案件”迎终章！司法裁定护航行业健康发展

Core Viewpoint - The Supreme People's Court has allowed Shenzhen Quanwei Intellectual Property Operation Co., Ltd. to withdraw its patent infringement lawsuits against Yingcheng Xindu Chemical Co., Ltd. and Xin Yangfeng Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd., marking the end of the "high tower patent infringement" dispute, which has raised discussions on patent circulation and industry health in the compound fertilizer sector [1] Case Background - The patent infringement dispute involved multiple lawsuits filed by Quanwei against various companies, including Xin Yangfeng and Yingcheng Xindu, with all claims dismissed by the Wuhan Intermediate People's Court [2] - The court found that the production methods used by the defendants did not fall within the scope of the patent protection, thus not constituting infringement [2] - The National Intellectual Property Administration declared the relevant patent invalid, which significantly impacted the basis for Quanwei's infringement claims [2][3] Patent Validity and Industry Impact - The patent in question was deemed not to possess inventiveness as it combined existing technologies known in the field, leading to its invalidation [3] - The high tower granulation technology has been widely recognized and utilized in the industry for decades, further complicating the claims of originality by Quanwei [4][5] Legal and Economic Consequences - The litigation strategy employed by Quanwei has created a ripple effect within the industry, leading to increased legal complexities and potential financial liabilities for numerous companies involved in high tower fertilizer production [9] - Companies facing lawsuits may incur significant compensation costs or be forced to dismantle production facilities, disrupting their operational stability and market activities [9][10] Industry Development and Regulatory Response - The ongoing disputes have raised concerns about the stability of the supply chain and the overall health of the compound fertilizer industry, particularly given the importance of high tower technology in food security [10] - The judicial system's handling of the case reflects a commitment to balancing patent rights with industry innovation and market order, providing a framework for fair competition and technological advancement [10][11]