Whirlpool filed a patent infringement suit against LG Electronics refrigerators a while back that are sold in the United States as the two battle for the premium U.S. appliance market.
South Korea-based LG denied the charge on Thursday, adding the company would “actively” respond to Whirlpool’s action.
Whirlpool stated on Wednesday it filed the patent infringement action with the International Trade Commission (ITC), charging several LG refrigerator models infringe five Whirlpool patents. It asked for an ITC order to stop LG from selling and importing infringing products into the United States.
“We will file a report to refute the charge with the ITC,” said an LG spokeswoman. “We will respond actively, but the process will take a long time.”
LG also stated that it had no plan to file a counter suit over the case.
Whirlpool said the patents were top do with popular US fridge models such as french door bottom mount and some side-by-side refrigerators.
The two companies have been in intensified competition in North America, Whirlpool’s home market, as LG steps up its push into the premium segment in refrigerators and washing machines.
Since North America accounted for 60 percent of Whirlpool’s sales in the third quarter of 2007 it is hardly surprising that they are a little upset if their patents have been infringed. Meanwhile LG reports that 23 percent of its appliance sales were in North America in the same period.
We’ll see what happens in the case but, assuming that Whirlpool are successful in the US then it may be a prelude to similar action in the EU where traditional manufacturers in the American fridge freezer market have seen a constant downward spiraling of retail prices over the past few years. Several manufacturers have already complained to the EU Commision as the EU has been flooded with cheap Asian and non-EU imports in the market.