US patent office rejects challenges to First Solar TOPCon patents

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US Patent & Trademark Office Rejects Attempts by Canadian Solar, JinkoSolar, and Mundra Solar to Challenge Validity of First Solar TOPCon Patents

January 20, 2026 8:01 AM EST

Inter Partes Review applications denied as First Solar lawsuits continue to progress

PHOENIX--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- First Solar, Inc. (Nasdaq: FSLR) (First Solar) today announced that the Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) denied three separate Inter Partes Review (IPR) applications seeking to invalidate the companys Tunnel Oxide Passivated Contact (TOPCon) patents through a review process. The IPRs were filed by JinkoSolar, Mundra Solar, and Canadian Solar in 2025, and were declined on November 20, December 11, and December 18, respectively.

While JinkoSolar and Canadian Solar sought to... More