If you ever need proof that the world is way too sue-happy right now, feel free to point this story out: Samsung has taken Dyson to court, claiming legal action the vacuum manufacturer took against the electronics giant the year prior hurt its corporate image.
The company is suing for 10 billion won (approximately $9,385,270 USD) in a South Korean court.
Dyson originally took Samsung to court last year, claiming the company “ripped off” a patent on a steering component for cylinder vacuum cleaners.
Sir James Dyson, the company’s founder, stated: “”This looks like a cynical rip-off. I find it hard not to believe that this is a deliberate or utterly reckless infringement of our patent.”
Specifically, Dyson claimed the steering mechanism on its Motion Sync vacuum cleaner range was a direct replication of Dyson’s DC37 and DC39 models.
Samsung rejected the accusation and provided the courts with “prior art” that showed the technology in question was actually being used before it was patented.
When this came to light, Dyson dropped its case.
But this past Sunday, a spokeswoman for Samsung said it filed a new case in the South Korean courts.
“Last week, Samsung Electronics' legal counsel filed legal papers with the Seoul Central District Court against Dyson as the latter's previous litigation has hurt Samsung's corporate image.
“Samsung's marketing activities were negatively affected by Dyson's groundless litigation, which is intolerable,” he said.
A Dyson spokesman said the company had not yet received a letter of complaint from Samsung, but went on to state that “Dyson pioneered cyclonic vacuum cleaners and digital motors — and has been developing them ever since.
“We patent our technology, and naturally defend it. It is surprising that a company over 100 times bigger than Dyson is so worried.
“The patent system offers us some protection but not enough.”
Story via bbc.co.uk
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