LX Hausys "KCC Glass, Patent Infringement on Appliance Films... Filed Lawsuit in Court"

Appliance film by LX Hausys with a metallic material feel. Photo by LX Hausys website

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] LX Hausys announced on the 18th that it has filed a lawsuit against KCC Glass for infringing on its patent for home appliance film products. Home appliance films are film products attached to the exterior of appliances such as refrigerators and washing machines to create various surface designs.

The product LX Hausys is contesting is KCC Glass's Hairline VCM home appliance film. VCM is a high-end laminated color steel sheet with a film attached to a steel plate, characterized by replicating the texture of expensive metal materials like hair strands on the surface of home appliances. LX Hausys filed a patent infringement injunction and damages lawsuit at the Seoul Central District Court, claiming infringement of two patents related to product structure and manufacturing methods.

The company claims that patents filed in 2011-2012 were infringed. LX Hausys stated that it commercialized the technology in 2012 and supplies it to global home appliance companies. According to the company, it launched metal material home appliance films in 1999, becoming the world's number one, and currently holds a market share of 45%.

A company representative said, "With the expansion of the high-end home appliance market, demand for home appliance films that replicate the feel of premium materials is rapidly increasing, and there is growing concern as many products copying or imitating related technologies are increasing."