Whirlpool has filed a lawsuit with the U.S. Internationalโ Trade Commissionโ seeking to haltโ imports โคof microwave ovens from Samsung andโ LG Electronics, โalleging patent infringement. The complaint, filed Tuesday, centers on technology related to inverter technology used in the โคappliances.
The dispute impacts a significant segment โคof โthe U.S. microwaveโ market, potentially disrupting supplyโ and โpricing for consumers. โคWhirlpool asserts that Samsung and LG have been unlawfully utilizing its patentedโค inverter technology,whichโ improves efficiency and cooking performance. A ruling in Whirlpool’s favor could lead to import โbans,forcing the โคSouth Korean companies to redesign their microwaveโฃ products or seek licensing agreements.
According to the complaint, Whirlpool’s patents cover key aspects of inverter technology used to power microwave ovens, allowingโ for more precise and efficient heating. Theโ company โฃclaims โขSamsung’s and LG’s microwaves โinfringe on these patents, giving them an unfair competitive advantage.
“Whirlpool has made substantial investments in developing innovative microwave ovenโข technology,”โฃ aโข company spokesperson stated. “We will โvigorously protect our intellectual property rights.”
The U.S. International Trade Commission will investigateโ the claims and determine whether a violation of Section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 โขhas occurred. This law allows U.S. companies to seekโข relief from unfair competition resulting from patent infringementโค by imported goods. โ
The inquiry is expected โฃto take approximately 18 โขmonths, with a final decision potentially leading to import โฃbans or cease-and-desist orders. โขSamsung andโ LG haveโข not yet publicly โคcommented onโ theโ lawsuit. Blake Brittain of Reuters reports โthat the case is Whirlpool Corp. v. Samsungโ Electronics โCo. Ltd. et al., U.S. International โTrade Commission, 2024-0011.
