South Korea’s LS Cable & System has won a court battle in a long-standing patent dispute with Taihan Cable & Solution, with a March 13 ruling by the Intellectual Property High Court that found that Taihan Cable must pay 1.5 billion won ($1.03 million) in compensation for partially infringing LS Cable’s patent on joint kits used in bus ducts.

Per press release and multiple media reports, the lawsuit, initiated in 2019, revolves around LS Cable’s claim that Taihan Cable infringed its patented technology for bus duct joint kits—a critical component for distributing electricity in large-scale installations.

LS Cable alleged technology leakage after an employee of its subcontractor joined Taihan Cable in 2011, leading to the production of similar products. Taihan Cable argued that it had been using the joint kit products for years, noting that there were earlier patents in the US and Japan and that LS Cable & System amended them, so its actions should not be seen as patent infringement. The court, however, court sided with LS Cable, emphasizing the importance of protecting technological innovation.

“We respect the court’s ruling and view it as recognition of our technological capabilities,” stated an LS Cable official. “We will continue to respond firmly to any acts of infringement.”

Taihan is considering whether to appeal. LS Cable & System is the largest South Korean cable company and Taihan Cable & Solution is the second largest. “As we have used a different type of joint kit since several years ago, the latest ruling will not affect our bus duct business,” a Taihan C&S official was quoted as saying.

In a twist, there were reports that the Hoban Group, the parent company of Taihan C&S, had purchased shares in LS Corp., the parent of LS C&S. The investment represented less than 3% percent. Per media reports, if the Hoban stake topped 3% it would have the rights to access the account book of LS Corp. and to convene an extraordinary general meeting of its shareholders.