Energy Insider: Baosteel, Toyota Face Patent Infringement Suit by Nippon Steel

In today’s Caixin energy news wrap: Battery giant CATL signs up a new U.S. customer; Li Auto builds second plant in Beijing; power prices on the rise under new regime.

Nippon Steel sues Baosteel and Toyota for patent infringement

Nippon Steel Corp. filed suit in a Tokyo district court against China's Baoshan Iron & Steel Co Ltd (Baosteel) and Toyota Motor Corp. seeking 20 billion Japanese yen ($170 million) each for patent infringement in nonoriented magnetic steel sheets, the largest Japanese steelmaker said. Toyota commercially used the special steel plate supplied by Baosteel that infringes its patent in making electric vehicles, Nippon Steel alleged. Baosteel rejected the allegation and vowed to actively fight the lawsuit. Toyota said the company didn’t know of any patent infringement by Baosteel when the companies signed a supply contract. Nonoriented magnetic steel sheets are a key raw material for electric vehicles.