Sony Corporation and 3M have reached a global settlement regarding a lithium ion battery cathode patent dispute filed in March 2007 against Sony and other companies in the Minnesota District Court and United States International Trade Commission. Under the settlement, Sony Corporation and Sony Electronics Inc. are now licensed sources of batteries containing 3M’s cathode technology. The specific terms of the settlement are confidential.

3M believes its cathode materials containing nickel, manganese and cobalt are an important technology for current and next generation lithium ion batteries. 3M stands ready to supply cathode materials to the industry. 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 expertise and broad materials capabilities in cathodes, metal alloy anodes, electrolyte salts, solvents, and additives can enable the next generation of high-performance 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. In addition, 3M sees a promising future for its lithium-ion technology in transport applications such as hybrid electric vehicles.

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3MDonna Fleming Runyon, 651-736-7646