LG Prevails Over ITRI In Two LCD Investigations Before International Trade Commission

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Nov 06, 2012, 04:03 ET

WASHINGTON, Nov. 6, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- LG Electronics has prevailed in two U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) investigations related to liquid crystal display (LCD) patents brought by Taiwanese company Industrial Technology Research Institute and its subsidiary ITRI International (ITRI).

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120524/MM13718LOGO-b)

LG's position that it does not violate ITRI's intellectual property rights was affirmed today when ITRI voluntarily moved to withdraw an ITC investigation against LG Electronics, Inc. and LG Electronics USA, Inc. In this investigation, which has been pending before the ITC for four months, ITRI claimed that LG was infringing certain claims in U.S. Patent No. 5,710,459. Before withdrawing the investigation, ITRI was seeking to exclude from importation into the United States certain LG Electronics LCD devices allegedly protected by ITRI's patent.

ITRI's voluntary withdrawal of the complaint in this investigation and its indication that it will not seek to re-file its complaint marks a second victory for LG against ITRI before the ITC in less than a month.

In October, an ITC Administrative Law Judge found no violation in a Section 337 investigation related to backlight modules of LCD devices. This investigation was brought a year ago by ITRI against LG Electronics, Inc., LG Electronics USA, Inc., LG Display Co., Ltd. and LG Display America, Inc. (collectively LG).

In this ITC 337 investigation, ITRI claimed LG was infringing certain claims in U.S. Patent No. 6,883,932 and sought to exclude from importation into the United States certain LG products containing LCD backlight modules. The judge agreed with LG and found that LG's LCD TV and monitor products do not violate ITRI's patent and that ITRI does not have an industry in the United States relating to articles allegedly protected by ITRI's patent.

In a statement, LG said, "The finding of no violation and no domestic industry in this Investigation marks a complete victory for LG and reaffirms LG's position that it is not violating intellectual property rights held by ITRI."

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. With 117 operations around the world, LG achieved global sales of $49 billion (KRW 54.26 trillion) in 2011. LG comprises four business units – Home Entertainment, Mobile Communications, Home Appliance, and Air Conditioning & Energy Solution – and is one of the world's leading producers of flat panel TVs, mobile devices, air conditioners, washing machines and refrigerators. LG Electronics is a 2012 ENERGY STAR^® Partner of the Year.

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 energy solutions, all under LG's "Life's Good" marketing theme. For more information, please visit www.lg.com.

SOURCE LG Electronics USA