CNANO(SH:688116) 高工锂电·2025-10-27 11:52Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the increasing importance of intellectual property (IP) protection in the lithium battery industry, emphasizing that it has transitioned from a "soft constraint" to a "high-pressure line" that companies must adhere to [5]. Group 1: Legal Cases and Consequences - Tian Nai Technology's three former employees were sentenced to prison for violating trade secrets, with sentences ranging from three years and six months to three years and nine months, along with fines between 300,000 and 500,000 RMB [6]. - The court found that one of the employees took confidential documents related to the company's core catalyst formula upon leaving the company [7]. - The misuse of these trade secrets led to the public disclosure of Tian Nai's core technology, impacting the subsequent employment of the involved individuals [8]. Group 2: Industry Trends and Responses - The lithium battery materials industry has seen a rise in trade secret infringement cases, with judicial penalties becoming more severe and protective measures more diverse [10]. - Tian Zhi Materials also faced a similar case where former employees disclosed production processes to competitors, resulting in prison sentences and a civil lawsuit seeking damages of up to 887 million RMB [11]. - The complexity of IP disputes in the industry is highlighted by counterclaims, such as Yongtai Technology suing Tian Zhi Materials for defamation [11]. Group 3: Shift in Industry Perspective - The series of landmark cases indicates a growing recognition and protection of intellectual property within the lithium battery materials sector [12]. - Tian Nai Technology has integrated IP protection into its core business strategy, establishing a comprehensive protection system [13]. - The industry is moving away from relying on technological shortcuts, recognizing that IP is essential for maintaining competitive advantages and market order [14][15].