By Kim Yoo-chul
LG Electronics has scored a ``significant victory’’ in its patent battle against the U.S.-based top-tier home appliance maker Whirlpool.
The Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) rejected Whirlpool’s claim that it invented the concept of a refrigerator dispenser with an extendable tray and water spigot earlier than LG Electronics, LG said in a statement.
The ruling came in the form of an ``interference proceeding.” Since 2008, LG has been involved in a legal battle with Whirlpool over 10 patents in the United States.