LG Electronics sues U.S. PC OEMs, alleging PCI patent infringement

LG Electronics sues U.S. PC OEMs, alleging PCI patent infringement
By Jack Robertson, EBN
September 6, 2000 (2:13 p.m. EST)
URL: http://www.eetimes.com/story/OEG20000906S0018

LG Electronics, the South Korean electronic-products manufacturer, is demanding unspecified royalties from at least 40 PC OEMs around the world to license its patents involving the basic PCI data-transmission bus in computers.

In its latest move, LGE filed suits in U.S. federal district courts against three U.S.-based PC makers and two Taiwanese computer and motherboard makers, charging violation of its patents on PCI data-transmission bus channels.

An LGE spokeswoman in Seoul today confirmed that the infringement suits had been filed against DTK Computer Inc., City of Industry, Calif.; Quantex Microsystems Inc., Somerset, N.J.; and Everex Systems Inc., Fremont, Calif. In addition, LGE has filed suits against First International Computer, Tapiei, and Asustek, a Taiwanese motherboard maker.

LGE said it took legal action when licensing negotiations with the five PC companies broke down. The companies sued by LGE could not be reached immediat ely for comment.

Giving some credibility to its royalty campaign, LGE said last week it had signed a cross-licensing agreement with Intel Corp., Santa Clara, Calif., on a range of intellectual property including the PCI patents. LGE officials emphasized that under the agreement, Intel will make a payment of an undisclosed amount to the Korean company.