Maxeon Solar Technologies filed a patent infringement lawsuit in the Munich Regional Court I on December 15, 2025, targeting Aiko Solar and four German distributors—Wattkraft GmbH & Co. KG, DWH Solutions GmbH, Memodo GmbH, and Tepto GmbH—alleging that Aiko’s second‑ and third‑generation back‑contact modules infringe Maxeon's EP2297789B1 patent.
The lawsuit claims that Aiko’s modules use a back‑contact design that violates Maxeon’s core technology. EP2297789B1 protects the interdigitated back‑contact architecture that eliminates front‑side shading, a key efficiency advantage that has underpinned Maxeon’s 1,600‑plus‑patent portfolio. By asserting infringement of this patent, Maxeon seeks to protect the technical edge that differentiates its modules in the market.
Maxeon is requesting a permanent injunction, disclosure of sales data, damages, and destruction of infringing inventory. Including distributors as co‑defendants signals Maxeon's strategy to enforce its IP across the entire supply chain, a move that could deter other distributors from handling infringing products and increase the legal burden on Aiko’s partners.
This action follows earlier IP disputes: a 2023 complaint in Mannheim over EP2297788, a 2024 complaint in Düsseldorf over EP3065184, and a Dutch court rejection of a Maxeon lawsuit. The new lawsuit expands the scope to distributors, potentially amplifying the legal exposure for Aiko and its distribution network.
Aiko Solar has not yet issued a formal response. Maxeon’s Associate General Counsel Marc Robinson emphasized that distributors who sell infringing products can be liable for injunctions and damages, even if they are not manufacturers, underscoring the company’s commitment to protecting its IP.
The lawsuit could reshape competitive dynamics in Europe, where Aiko aims for a 30% market share and has been named a Top Brand PV 2025 in several markets. Maxeon's aggressive IP enforcement may limit Aiko’s expansion and could prompt other manufacturers to review their supply chains for potential infringement risks.
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