LG Electronics on Wednesday announced it has filed a lawsuit against Quanta Computers, the world's biggest contract manufacturer of laptop PCs, alleging the Taiwanese company infringed on four patents related to LG's DVD technology.
"LG's claims include infringement of four patents related to DVD standard," LG said. "Quanta has been using these patents without LG's permission to produce notebook computers that were supplied to U.S. computer companies."
Quanta counts top brands such as Hewlett-Packard, Dell, Apple, Sony and a number of other PC vendors among its customers. The South Korean electronics maker is seeking an injunction to prohibit Quanta's use of this technology as well as an undisclosed amount of monetary compensation.
Quanta said in an official statement: "The company has assigned its legal representatives to work on this matter. R&D is crucial to Quanta's success and the company values and respects intellectual property rights. "Quanta is committed to defending its reputation and acting in the best interest of its shareholders."
This is not the first time the two companies have battled in court. In May 200, LG filed a lawsuit against Quanta for alleged patent infringement of its personal computer technology. The trial court initially decided in favor of Quanta, but the U.S. Court of Appeals overturned the verdict in 2006. The companies are currently awaiting the court's final decision which is expected in the first half of 2008.