LG Electronics (LG), a leading player in the global flat panel display market, today announced that the company had filed a lawsuit against Thomson TCL Electronics (TTE), number one Chinese TV maker, and its Hong Kong based holding company TCL Multimedia Technology Holdings for the infringement of 4 patents LG retains including digital TV technology of virtual channel table for a broadcast protocol and V-chip program rating control system.
On February 10, LG presented a case to the US District Court, Eastern District of Texas for enjoining from patent infringement and awarding damages to LGE arising out of their infringing activities. The company has led a discussion with TTE to resolve the problem since early 2005 with no progress.
LG has been partnering with TV makers in Japan and Europe by royalty contract for the infringed patents.
Jeong Hwan Lee, Executive Vice President and Head of LG Electronics Intellectual Property Center said, “Intellectual property including patents is the company’s essential asset, which we have a right not to be disturbed. This lawsuit shows our strong will for protection of our own intellectual property.”