Whirlpool and LG Electronics agreed to a partial resolution of the patent infringement action that Whirlpool brought against LG in the US International Trade Commission (ITC) in January 2008, a press release by Whirlpool stated.
The resolution relates to two of Whirlpool’s patents directed to ice maker fill tubes used in refrigerator freezers containing automatic icemakers.
As part of the resolution, LG has agreed to change the design of the fill tubes it uses in the refrigerator models accused of infringement, and the parties agreed to drop the fill tube patents from the ITC action and a related District Court action pending between the companies.
The settlement leaves unresolved the part of ITC action involving Whirlpool’s patent directed to the storage and delivery of ice through a refrigerator door, which is scheduled to go to trial in December 2008.