Maxell, Ltd.

Maxell, Ltd. (often shortened to Maxell) is a Japanese public company, traded on the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TYO: 6810), that manufactures consumer electronics, energy products, and industrial materials. Founded in September 1960, its headquarters are in Tokyo and Kyoto, Japan. As of March 31, 2026, Maxell reported 3,765 consolidated employees. In the fiscal year ending March 2026, Maxell's revenue was ¥129.43 billion (approximately $858 million USD).

Maxell's product portfolio is diversified across three main segments: energy, industrial materials, and electronic appliances and consumer products. Key offerings include primary and rechargeable batteries (including advanced all-solid-state batteries), data storage devices, optical lenses, LCD and laser projectors, headphones, wireless charging products, and functional materials like adhesive tapes and inks. The company has a historical legacy in recording media such as audio cassettes and floppy disks.

Maxell exhibits an active two-way patent litigation posture, acting as both a plaintiff and a defendant in patent disputes. The company explicitly states its strategy to obtain licensing fees by licensing its intellectual property to other companies and is prepared to take legal action when its IP is not respected. Maxell has been recognized for its IP-centric business strategy, being selected for the "Asia IP Elite" by Intellectual Asset Management (IAM) since 2018.

Maxell's tracked cases include a plaintiff suit against Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. et al. in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, initiated in 2025. This district is known for its plaintiff-friendly reputation in patent litigation. Maxell secured a significant jury verdict of $111.7 million against Samsung in a related case in the Eastern District of Texas in 2025, concerning patents for smart device technologies such as unlocking devices, locating recordings, and managing digital data. Maxell also appears as a defendant in a 2025 case before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) brought by Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Additionally, Maxell has been involved in litigation concerning lithium-ion battery patents, with one case against Amperex Technology, Ltd. seeing the Federal Circuit affirm the unpatentability of a Maxell patent in early 2025, while another Federal Circuit decision in 2024 reversed a district court's indefiniteness ruling concerning a Maxell rechargeable lithium-ion battery patent.