Japanese Firm Hits Alibaba With Patent Lawsuits From US to Korea

A little-known Japanese firm has sued Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. in three countries for allegedly violating its patents on cross-border e-commerce, seeking court injunctions or damages against the Chinese online pioneer.

Tokyo-based patent rights company BWB Inc. filed for an injunction against Alibaba’s overseas transactions at the Seoul Central District Court on Friday. BWB, which owns customs-clearance and logistics patents, had filed for injunctions and damages at the Tokyo District Court in April and at the US District Court for the Northern District of California in November.

BWB’s system helps merchants pre-register goods at customs at a pre-determined tax ...