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COURT RULES IN FAVOR OF LG ELECTRONICS IN PATENT CASE
Victory over Whirlpool in Washing Machine Federal Court Appeal
Seoul, Korea, October 27, 2008 – A federal appeals court has ruled in favor of LG Electronics in
a long-standing patent dispute with Whirlpool Corporation. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the
Federal Circuit upheld a U.S. District Court decision in a case involving two Whirlpool patents
related to clothes washers.
Whirlpool filed this action against LG in the District Court of Michigan, Whirlpool’s home state,
after an impeller type washing machine, designed and produced by LG Electronics, was
introduced in the U.S. market. Whirlpool demanded a jury trial and sought an award of damages
and an order stopping sales of the washer. The decision of the Federal Circuit confirmed the
right to market LG's advanced “impeller” washing machine technology in the United States
despite Whirlpool’s efforts to remove competing washers from the market through patent
infringement litigation.
The appeals court’s final action in LG’s favor on Oct. 10 also marks the conclusion of five years
of litigation with Whirlpool related to washing machine technology. Since LG entered
the intensely competitive U.S. market for high-end, large-capacity washing machines near
2003, Whirlpool brought several lawsuits against LG. The appeal court’s decision means that LG
has now successfully resolved all of those actions. Despite the series of the lawsuits, LG’s
advanced front-load (horizontal axis) washing machines and its advanced impeller washing
machines are successful products in the United States and around the world.
LG vigorously defended its and its trading partners’ rights to compete in the United States. In
2006, the District Court Chief Judge for the District of Michigan granted summary judgments,
declaring that one Whirlpool patent was not infringed and that the other was invalid. To obtain
these summary judgments, LG convinced the District Court that its case was so strong that the
District Court should enter judgments against Whirlpool, without a jury trial. The Federal
Circuit has now affirmed the District Court's decisions.
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Global Web Site www.lge.com
About LG Electronics, Inc.
LG Electronics, Inc. (KSE: 066570.KS) is a global leader and technology innovator in consumer electronics,
home appliances and mobile communications, employing more than 82,000 people working in 114
operations including 82 subsidiaries around the world. With 2007 global sales of USD 44 billion, LG is
comprised of four business units - Mobile Communications, Digital Appliance, Digital Display and Digital
Media. LG is the world’s leading producer of mobile handsets, flat panel TVs, air conditioners, front-
loading washing machines, optical storage products, DVD players and home theater systems. For more
information, please visit www.lge.com.
About LG Electronics Digital Appliance Company
LG Electronics Digital Appliance Company is a global leader in the home appliance industry, dedicated to
enhancing consumer lifestyles through its stylish and advanced products. The company provides a total
package of trend-setting products, including air conditioners, refrigerators, washing machines, cooking
appliances and vacuum cleaners. LG Digital Appliance Company is encouraging technology innovation
through products such as the world's first interactive refrigerator and its steam washing machine, as well
as building new growth opportunities in built-in kitchen appliances, commercial air conditioners and
networked home appliances. In 2007, the company registered US $ 12.6 billion in sales, and currently has
over 21,000 employees worldwide.