LG sues Quanta... again

DVD patent spat

By Tony Smith • Get more from this author

4th July 2007 11:22 GMT

LG yesterday formally accused Taiwanese notebook manufacturer Quanta of using its DVD technology without permission and asked for a ban on the sale of laptops made by Quanta that incorporate LG intellectual property.

Since Quanta makes machines for many of the industry's biggest names, the impact could prove widespread if LG's legal action proves successful.

LG filed its complaint against Quanta with the US District Court of Western Wisconsin yesterday. The lawsuit alleges the infringement of four patents LG holds that "relate to the DVD standard", LG said. "Quanta has been using these patents without LG's permission to produce notebook computers that were supplied to US computer companies," it added, without naming which US computer companies it has in mind.

In addition to a ban in the allegedly infringing products, LG wants "monetary compensation" for the claimed violation of its intellectual property rights.

So far, Quanta has simply said it is examining the lawsuit's allegations.

The lawsuit is the second LG has sent Quanta's way. The first was filed in Northern California back in 2000 and also named Compal and FIC. It alleged infringement of patents LG holds in retation to PCI technology. Since then the case has been judged, moved up to the Court of Appeals, handed back to the lower court, and the parties are now awaiting a fresh judgement early in 2008.

The case originally went against LG, but South Korean giant is hoping the Court's re-appraisal of its complaint will result in a victory.