Spigen Korea's Challenge to Foldable Phone Case Patent Denied

Korean IP Tribunal Upholds Gananhandongjidul's Foldable Device Protection Patent

(Source: Spigen Korea Co., Ltd.)

By PatenTrip

The Korean Intellectual Property Tribunal has ruled against Spigen Korea Co., Ltd. in its attempt to invalidate a foldable phone protection case patent held by Gananhandongjidul Inc.

In mid-October 2024, the tribunal dismissed Spigen Korea's invalidation request, which targeted Gananhandongjidul's patent "Protection Case for Foldable Display Device" (KR2006300). 

Spigen filed the challenge in January 2024, claiming that Claims 1, 2, and 6 of the patent lacked validity. The tribunal’s recent decision upheld these claims. Claim 1 serves as an independent claim, while Claims 2 and 6 are dependent on it.

Following this dismissal, Spigen Korea retains the option to appeal the tribunal's decision to the Patent Court of Korea. 

Gananhandongjidul's patented technology aims to prevent damage to the hinge of a foldable phone when excessive force is applied in the folded state and protects the screen from scratches and debris infiltration. The case design disperses force on the hinge and blocks gaps between the screens, effectively sealing out contaminants.

Figures of Gananhandongjidul's patent titled "Protection Case for Foldable Display Device" (KR2006300). (Source: KIPRIS) 

By PatenTrip