By Blake Brittain
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Whirlpool on Tuesday asked a U.S. trade agency to block the import and sale of microwaves from rival manufacturers based in South Korea and China, alleging they copied its patented technology for over-the-range models.
The complaint, filed with the Washington-based U.S. International Trade Commission, aims to protect a key market for Whirlpool, based in Benton Harbor, Michigan. Whirlpool alleges that South Korean rivals Samsung and LG, along with China-based Midea and Haier, infringed five of its patents for “low-profile microwave-hood combination products,” or LP-MHCs.
In its complaint, Whirlpool said it pioneered technology for the microwaves, which both cook and provide ventilation. Whirlpool also filed related lawsuits against the companies in Texas and New Jersey federal courts on Tuesday seeking monetary damages, according to court filings and a Whirlpool spokesperson.
Spokespeople for Samsung, LG, Haier-owned GE Appliances and Midea did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the ITC complaint. Whirlpool said in a statement that it “will not hesitate to defend our innovation and intellectual property when a competitor steals a patent-protected design.”
“Whirlpool created the LP-MHC product category, and until the Proposed Respondents began their unlawful conduct, Whirlpool was the sole provider of LP-MHCs in the United States,” the complaint said.
(Reporting by Blake Brittain in Washington; Editing by Lisa Shumaker)
