Canadian Solar and Sunova’s Photovoltaics Modules Detained by Customs for Potential Patent Infringement

Chinese Customs Cracks Down on Patent Infringement to Protect the ‘New Three’

Recently, nine containers of Canadian Solar’s photovoltaic modules including TOPHiKu 6 series modules and Sunova’s TANGRA series modules were detained by China Customs due to potential patent infringement. This action underscores China’s firm stance on combating patent infringement and safeguarding the export of its leading “new three”.

The detained shipments are destined for Europe and Latin America, with a total value over RMB 5 million.

As Chinese companies accelerate their global expansion, electric vehicles, lithium-ion batteries, and photovoltaics have become China's globally competitive “new three”, resulting in a noticeable increase in intellectual property disputes among new energy enterprises. This action by China Customs is just the first step of series of China's effort in promoting IP protection and penalizing producers that are violating intellectual property right of others, reflecting the country's overall determination in high quality development target.

Patent infringement not only harms the legitimate rights of patent holders, impedes technological innovation, but also affects the delivery of products by the infringing party and their commitments to customers. The infringing party will face huge compensation and claims from both customers and the patent holders as well.