3M Settles Lithium Ion Battery Cathode Patent Suits with CDW Corp. and Hitachi Koki

3M announced today that it requested dismissal of CDW Corp. and
Hitachi Koki USA from the U.S. International Trade Commission
investigation over lithium ion battery technology and a parallel
patent suit in the District of Minnesota. 3M requested dismissal after
CDW and Hitachi Koki certified that they import and sell batteries
containing 3M´s patented cathode materials only from manufacturers
licensed by 3M as part of prior settlements.

Major battery manufacturers Panasonic Corp. of North America,
Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., Sony Corp., Sony
Electronics, Inc., Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd., and Sanyo Energy U.S.A.
Corp. reached earlier settlements in which they became licensed
sources of batteries containing 3M´s patented cathode materials. 3M
also reached settlements with Batteries.com, Lenovo (US) Inc., and
Lenovo Group Ltd. following certifications that their batteries
containing 3M´s patented cathode materials come only from 3M licensed
sources.

"We are pleased that all of the suits related to our battery
cathode patents are now settled and that the industry has recognized
3M´s patent rights and the value of 3M´s advanced cathode materials,"
said Nagraj Koneripalli, business manager, 3M Electronics. "We look
forward to becoming a major supplier of advanced cathode materials, as
well as metal alloy anodes, electrolyte salts, solvents, and
additives, to the industry."

3M´s cathode materials containing nickel, manganese and cobalt are
an important technology for current and next generation lithium ion
batteries. Lithium ion batteries are a preferred source of power for
laptop computers, mobile phones and portable electronic devices, and
are an emerging source of power for battery-powered hand tools and
hybrid electric vehicles. Over the past decade, 3M has invested
significant resources in design, development and commercialization of
advanced material technologies for lithium ion battery applications.

3M´s actions are consistent with its corporate intellectual
property policy to protect 3M´s substantial investments in new
technology and in research and development by obtaining, maintaining
and enforcing intellectual property rights in inventions.

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