3M Suing Over Battery Technology

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Rich Tate

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BetaNews is reporting that 3M is suing some big names in laptops over battery technology. 3M is claiming that several manufacturers including Sony and Lenovo are using formats that they created in their mobile solutions.

At issue is the cathode materials used inside the batteries, which 3M claims makes them last longer and give off less heat. The company says it spent 10 years developing the technology, and says it is a $700 million business.
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The article suggests that they are now employing the technology post recall, at least that's how I read it. ;)
 
So 3M owns the patent on working batteries that don't burn up? Ho hum.

With all the constant patent suits, I think I have gone numb tp the idea.
 
UrielDagda said:
So 3M owns the patent on working batteries that don't burn up? Ho hum.

With all the constant patent suits, I think I have gone numb tp the idea.
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No, they allegedly spent ten years and millions of dollars developing technology that enables batteries that don't burn up. Sounds likes Sony and other cheaped out and paid the price and now their solution to the flaming battery issue is to use another companies innovation without paying for it.

But hey, it should all be free right? You spend large sums of money developing a new technology and someone steals it then, hey, no biggie right?

3M isn't some lawyer staffed patent mill. They actually do R&D to the cost of billions every year. Is it unreasonable to expect that when another company uses the fruits of that R&D that they should get some piece of the action?
 
ianken said:
No, they allegedly spent ten years and millions of dollars developing technology that enables batteries that don't burn up. Sounds likes Sony and other cheaped out and paid the price and now their solution to the flaming battery issue is to use another companies innovation without paying for it.

But hey, it should all be free right? You spend large sums of money developing a new technology and someone steals it then, hey, no biggie right?

3M isn't some lawyer staffed patent mill. They actually do R&D to the cost of billions every year. Is it unreasonable to expect that when another company uses the fruits of that R&D that they should get some piece of the action?
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I'm going to have to agree here. I think 3M has a legitimate gripe.
 
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