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29 March 2017Patents

LG accuses Blu of SEP infringement

Korean electronics company LG has accused mobile manufacturer Blu Products of infringing five standard-essential  patents.

According to a press  release from LG released on Monday, March 27, the electronics company took legal action following “numerous unsuccessful attempts” over the past year to engage Blu in licensing discussions.

LG filed complaints at the US District Court for the District of Delaware and the US International Trade Commission on March 27.

According to the redacted complaint filed at the district court, Blu infringed US patent numbers 7,916,714; 8,107,456; 9,191,173; 9,225,572; and 8,891,560 through selling long-term evolution (LTE) mobile devices.

The patents are essential to the LTE mobile communications standard, a 4G wireless broadband technology developed by the Third Generation Partnership Project and administered by the European Telecommunication Standards Institute, said the claim.

LG said that in January, Samuel Ohev-Zion, the CEO of Blu, testified that Blu mobile devices operate according to the LTE standard, as advertised.

The company said of the lawsuit: “It was filed because Blu, the largest seller of unlocked smartphones in the US, has ignored all of LG’s attempts to discuss a licence to LG’s IP. LG is determined to enforce its IP rights,” said the press release.

The electronics company said it had tried to negotiate a fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory licence to LG’s wireless communications patent portfolio with Blu.

LG is seeking injunctive relief, triple damages, costs and fees, and a jury trial.

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21 March 2017   The US International Trade Commission has launched an investigation into Korean electronics company LG.