Sony sues LG in phone patent fight [U]
updated 01:20 pm EST, Wed December 29, 2010
Sony files lawsuit against LG in the US
(Update: phone dispute, details below) In the latest spat between electronics giants, Sony has sued LG Electronics, though details remain unknown. Just filed on Tuesday, the lawsuit specifically targets LG Electronics Mobilecomm USA Inc and LG Electronics USA Inc. The former LG subsidiary does marketing for cellphones, 3G notebooks and related accessories.
It also provides sales and marketing support in North America for LG Electronics, its parent.
The lawsuit does not seem to be related to a patent infringement, which is the most common lawsuit in the industry. The suit was filed in the US District Court for the Central District of California and more information will be reported as it becomes available. [via TechCrunch]
Update: Despite early claims, the lawsuit centers over patent infringement and claims that five of LG's basic messaging phones, including the Lotus Elite, Neon, Remarq, Rumor 2 and Xenon, all violate eight Sony patents. The complaint would ban the sales of the phones in the US without a royalty deal or a settlement.
