Matsushita, Panasonic, and 3M Reach Agreement Over Li-Ion Patent Suit

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. and 3M have reached a settlement regarding a patent dispute involving lithium ion battery cathode materials which was the subject of a patent infringement suit filed in March 2007 against Matsushita, Panasonic Corp. of North America and other companies. Matsushita and 3M have executed a Settlement and License Agreement. Under this Agreement, Matsushita and Panasonic Corp. of North America are now licensed sources of batteries. The specific terms of the settlement are confidential.

3M issued a statement claiming that its cathode materials containing nickel, manganese and cobalt are an important technology for current and next generation lithium ion batteries. 3M also claimed that it stands ready to supply cathode materials to the industry. Over the past decade, 3M claims that it has invested significant resources in design, development and commercialization of advanced material technologies for lithium ion battery applications.