天赐材料/永太科技互诉

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the ongoing legal disputes between Tianqi Materials and Yongtai Technology regarding alleged commercial secret infringements, highlighting the competitive and litigious nature of the lithium battery industry in China [2][10][11]. Group 1: Event Overview - The Fifth Start Point Two-Wheeled Vehicle Battery Swap Conference and Lightweight Power Battery Technology Summit will be held on July 11, 2025, in Shenzhen [2]. - The event is organized by Start Point Lithium, Start Point Sodium, and Start Point Two-Wheeled Vehicles and Battery Swap [2]. Group 2: Legal Disputes - Tianqi Materials has filed a civil lawsuit against Yongtai Technology and others for commercial secret infringement, seeking damages of 887 million yuan and 1.15 million yuan in legal fees [2][4]. - The lawsuit follows a criminal case where two individuals were sentenced for illegally obtaining Tianqi's technology, with one receiving a prison term of four years and four months [4][5]. - Yongtai Technology has countered with a lawsuit against Tianqi for defamation, claiming damages of 57.52 million yuan [7][9]. Group 3: Financial Performance - Yongtai Technology reported revenues of 4.128 billion yuan and 4.589 billion yuan for 2023 and 2024, respectively, with net losses of 619.8 million yuan and 478.4 million yuan [10]. - Tianqi Materials, while still profitable, saw significant revenue declines, with 2023 and 2024 revenues of 15.4 billion yuan and 12.52 billion yuan, down 30.97% and 18.74% year-on-year, and net profits of 1.891 billion yuan and 483.9 million yuan, down 66.92% and 74.4% [11]. Group 4: Industry Context - The legal battles reflect the intense competition and overcapacity in the lithium battery industry, exacerbated by a significant drop in the price of lithium hexafluorophosphate since 2024 [10][11]. - The ongoing disputes are indicative of the broader trend of increasing patent conflicts and the need for stronger intellectual property protections within the lithium battery sector [11].