SEKISUI CHEMICAL CO., LTD. announced a legal victory in Germany following rulings in its favor from the District Court Munich I in a patent infringement case involving sound-insulating PVB interlayer films. The company鈥檚 High Performance Plastics Company, headed by President Akira Asano, initiated the litigation against Kuraray Europe GmbH, a subsidiary of Kuraray Co., Ltd. The court鈥檚 decisions, issued April 17, 2025, mark a significant milestone in SEKISUI CHEMICAL鈥檚 ongoing efforts to protect its intellectual property.
The judgments addressed two separate lawsuits, filed under docket numbers 7 O 12401/24 and 7 O 12476/24. These lawsuits, originally disclosed in an Oct. 16, 2024, press release titled 鈥淔iling of Lawsuit Seeking Injunction and Damages for Patent Infringement in Relation to PVB Interlayer in Germany,鈥� alleged that Kuraray Europe had infringed upon key European patents held by SEKISUI CHEMICAL. Specifically, the court found that Kuraray Europe鈥檚 鈥淭rosifol The Wedge Acoustic鈥� and 鈥淭rosifol The Wedge Acoustic Shadeband鈥� products unlawfully used technology covered under European Patent No. 2017237 and European Patent No. 3208247.
The patents in question relate to the sound insulation properties of PVB (polyvinyl butyral) interlayers, which are critical components in laminated safety glass used in automotive windshields and architectural glass applications. The court determined that Kuraray鈥檚 products infringed on these patented technologies and issued a judgment that allows SEKISUI CHEMICAL to enforce an injunction against the infringing products. Furthermore, the court granted SEKISUI CHEMICAL the right to implement a product recall, provided the company pays a required security deposit.
Kuraray Europe may choose to appeal the rulings, and the case could potentially proceed to a higher court. However, the current decision strongly affirms SEKISUI CHEMICAL鈥檚 position and underscores the value of its patented technologies in the global market.
SEKISUI CHEMICAL emphasized that it views intellectual property as a crucial management asset and a foundation of its competitive advantage. 鈥淭he protection of our intellectual property rights is a priority for the SEKISUI CHEMICAL Group,鈥� the company said in a statement. 鈥淲e will continue to take firm and appropriate legal action in cases where we believe our patents or other rights are being infringed.鈥�
The court's decision reinforces SEKISUI CHEMICAL鈥檚 commitment to technological innovation and to safeguarding its proprietary developments. As the global demand for advanced safety and acoustic solutions continues to rise, especially in the automotive and construction industries, maintaining control over its patented technologies remains a strategic imperative for the company.
This ruling not only validates the uniqueness of SEKISUI CHEMICAL鈥檚 inventions but also serves as a clear message to industry competitors about the seriousness with which the company defends its intellectual property.
