U.S. ITC Scheduled to Issue Final Ruling on Feb. 10
The Korean government has weighed in on the protracted dispute between SK Innovation and LG Energy Solutions over infringement on trade secrets about electric vehicle batteries.
"LG and SK have been locking their horns in the U.S. court for three years while spending huge amounts of money as legal fees," said Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun at a news conference marking the first anniversary of his inauguration at the Korea Broadcasting Journalists Club. “Even some U.S. politicians are asking them to settle the case out of court. Do the two companies not feel ashamed?”
Prime Minister Chung's remarks implied that the two companies should resolve their dispute before the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) hands down its final ruling on Feb. 10.
The ITC initially decided to issue a final ruling on the suit on Oct. 5, 2020, but postponed it to Oct. 26, 2020, and to Nov. 10, 2020 and to Feb. 10, 2021. Some say the final ruling has been delayed due to the spread of the COVID-19 virus, but others attribute the delay to the big impact that the court’s ruling would have on the U.S. economy, especially job creation.