LG Electronics Refrigerator Patent Case Against Whirlpool Corporation Moving Forward

WILMINGTON, Del., July 15, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Following a federal court victory for LG Electronics earlier this month, which ordered a retrial in a long-standing refrigerator patent case between LG and Whirlpool Corporation, LG Electronics' USA announced today that the case has been set for an early retrial in the U.S. District Court of Delaware.

In a scheduling conference today, Chief Judge Gregory M. Sleet set a trial date of Sept. 28, 2011, on the validity of two of Whirlpool's patents.  An LG victory in the new trial would invalidate Whirlpool's U.S. Patent Nos. 6,082,130 and 5,269,601 and eliminate any liability for infringement of Whirlpool's patents by LG.  

"LG is fully prepared to protect its innovations and the rights of its customers and trade partners to use and sell LG refrigerators," said Wayne Park, president and CEO, LG Electronics USA.  "In fact, LG's products include significant innovations and features that are protected by its own patents, and thus cannot be offered by our competitors."  

Park expressed confidence that LG will prevail in these actions and prove to the courts and the public that LG's patents are infringed by Whirlpool and that LG has not infringed any valid and enforceable patent rights of its competitors.  

The court agreed on July 1 with LG that a jury verdict regarding the validity of Whirlpool's patents was not adequately supported by the evidence presented at trial. A finding that Whirlpool's '130 patent is invalid and vacating any infringement finding would be consistent with the decision reached separately last year by the U.S. International Trade Commission.  The ITC found that all but one of the asserted claims of the '130 patent invalid and the remaining claim not infringed by LG.

In 2008, LG filed suit in Delaware alleging that Whirlpool refrigerators infringed LG's patents, and seeking a declaration that two Whirlpool patents were invalid and not infringed. Throughout every phase of the case, LG has been confident that its legal position is correct.

About LG Electronics USA

LG Electronics USA, Inc., based in Englewood Cliffs, N.J., is the North American subsidiary of LG Electronics, Inc., a global force and technology leader in consumer electronics, home appliances and mobile communications. In the United States, LG Electronics sells a range of stylish and innovative home entertainment products, mobile phones, home appliances, commercial displays, air conditioning systems and solar energy solutions, all under LG's "Life's Good" marketing theme. For more information, please visit www.lg.com.

About LG Electronics, Inc.

LG Electronics, Inc. (KSE: 066570.KS) is a global leader and technology innovator in consumer electronics, mobile communications and home appliances, employing more than 93,000 people working in over 120 operations around the world. With 2010 global sales of 55.8 trillion Korean won (USD 48.2 billion), LG comprises four business units –Home Entertainment, Mobile Communications, Home Appliance, and Air Conditioning & Energy Solutions. LG is one of the world's leading producers of flat panel TVs, mobile devices, air conditioners, washing machines, and refrigerators. LG has signed a long-term agreement to become both a Global Partner and a Technology Partner of Formula 1™. As part of this top-level association, LG acquires exclusive designations and marketing rights as the official consumer electronics, mobile phone and data processor of this global sporting event. For more information, please visit www.lg.com.

About LG Electronics Home Appliance Company

The LG Electronics Home Appliance Company is an innovator in the home appliance industry, dedicated to offering healthier and greener products, blending smart technology and trend-setting design and providing a complete solution for improving daily life. LG's insightful products, including refrigerators, washing machines, dishwashers, cooking appliances, vacuum cleaners, and built-in appliances, are designed to resonate with consumers around the world. LG's innovative technologies and convenient features, including the world's first interactive refrigerator, steam washing machine and combination oven and microwave, set new trends in the appliance industry, helping to establish LG as a global leader.

SOURCE LG Electronics USA, Inc.