Your browser is out-of-date!

Update your browser to view this website correctly. Update my browser now

×

ITC Dismisses Whirlpool-LG Patent Case

WASHINGTON — The International
Trade Commission (ITC) has
dismissed the last of Whirlpool’s patent-
infringement charges against LG in
a two-year-old case involving ice-compartment
technology.

Whirlpool accused LG of violating
its patents for ice storage bins within
the doors of side-by-side and bottommount
refrigerators. The ITC had previously
ruled all but one of the charges invalid,
and earlier this month ITC Judge
Theodore Essex found that the final
patent claim did not cover LG’s products,
and terminated the investigation.

Whirlpool has not indicated whether
it will appeal the decision. The company
lost an appeal in 2008 over a separate
patent infringement suit against
LG, which involved the use of impellertype
washer drums.

Meanwhile, LG has counter-suits
pending in two federal courts that
charge Whirlpool with infringing its
own patents, and which seek injunctions
and monetary damages.

“The final ITC decision reaffirms our
leadership in refrigerator technology,”
said Y.H. Lee, president/CEO of
the LG Electronics Home Appliance
Company.

James Shad, president of LG Electronics
USA, added that “The ITC’s final determination, which eliminates a
threat by a competitor to block imports
of LG refrigerators, is welcome news for
LG customers.”

Featured

Close