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LG Electronics CEO Koo Bon-joon |
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.
Whirlpool CEO Jeff Fettig |
LG spokesman Lim Young-min said there would be no letup in LG’s effort to go toe to toe with Whirlpool and legally prove the futility of the latter’s untenable legal crusade.
``LG will defend our intellectual properties vigorously. We will do as best as we can,’’ Lim said.
After suing by LG for infringement of patents in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware, the U.S. appliance maker asked the PTO in 2008 to intervene.
In 2009, the PTO decided to step in and issued a preliminary decision in 2010 that favored LG.
Whirlpool is expected to bring the issue to a higher court within a month, according to legal experts. Whirlpool representatives weren’t available for comment over its next steps in the legal fight.
Meanwhile, Whirlpool is seeking to use U.S. trade laws to protect itself from Samsung Electronics and LG. Whirlpool has previously asked for anti-dumping duties on imported refrigerators.
Based in Benton Harbor, Mi., the company has accused Samsung and LG of dumping washing machines made in Korea and Mexico in the U.S. at prices below their production costs.
Whirlpool claimed that its rivals are being helped by various Korean government subsidies.
LG and Samsung are enjoying strong business in the U.S. by selling high-quality appliances with innovative designs at ``very aggressive’’ prices, according to LG officials.
LG is focusing on patent protection, bringing in more patent experts to better handle such issues. CEO Koo Bon-joon is directly handling patent-related issues, LG executives said.
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