Coway Files Injunction and Damage Claim Against Kyowon Wells
Long-Term Battle Expected... 2014 Lawsuit Still Ongoing
A design dispute has erupted in the rental industry surrounding the ‘ice water purifier.’ Coway has filed lawsuits and sent warning letters to several companies over intellectual property (IP) rights, including design rights for the ice water purifier. However, since other companies are also countering based on their own design rights acquisitions, there are expectations that the dispute could become prolonged.
◆The Core of the Dispute: Exterior Design
On the 23rd, Coway announced that it had filed a lawsuit against Kyowon Wells seeking to ban the sale of the Ice One ice water purifier and claim damages. The main points of the lawsuit include ‘prohibition of design rights infringement,’ ‘prohibition of unfair competition,’ and ‘prohibition of patent infringement.’
The core of the dispute is the ‘exterior’ of the ice water purifier. In June 2022, Coway launched the ‘Icon Ice Water Purifier,’ which emphasizes an angular shape. It features a form that looks like two rectangular cuboids joined vertically. The design rights for this product were applied for in March of the same year, underwent examination by the Korean Intellectual Property Office, and were registered in February of last year.
Coway claims that Kyowon Wells’ Ice One ice water purifier is overall aesthetically similar to its own product. They point out similarities in the length of each corner, the arrangement of front buttons and display, and the satin glass-like finish on the front. Regarding corner lengths, Coway’s product measures 240 mm (width), 473 mm (height), and 465 mm (depth), while Kyowon Wells’ Ice One measures 230 mm, 480 mm, and 470 mm respectively. Lee Jun-seok, head of Coway’s IP team, said, “As the industry’s number one company, we have refrained from IP disputes so far, but we filed this lawsuit to promote fair competition and market growth.”
On the other hand, Kyowon Wells is countering Coway based on the design features and design rights acquisition of the Ice One ice water purifier. The most distinctive feature of the Ice One, launched in April, is the ‘3-degree slanted display.’ Kyowon Wells explained, “The display is tilted 3 degrees to align with the user’s line of sight, enhancing visual comfort and design differentiation. The front is divided horizontally to separate the control panel and water outlet.” Additionally, a detachable cover made of translucent material is applied to the lower water outlet, and the front icons include only four function keys for hot water, purified water, cold water, and capacity, with a settings icon placed at the upper right, creating an original design, according to Kyowon Wells.
The design of the Ice One ice water purifier, applied for at the Korean Intellectual Property Office in September last year, was finally registered last month on the 12th. This secured Kyowon Wells’ design rights for the Ice One. Kyowon Wells emphasized, “We regret the meaningless patent infringement claims against Ice One, which has already been recognized for design rights by the Korean Intellectual Property Office.”
◆Will the Dispute Prolong?
Last month, Coway sent warning letters citing design and patent infringement to Cuckoo Homesys’ ‘Zero100 Slim Ice Water Purifier’ and this month to Cheongho Nice’s ‘Ice Tree.’ However, both Cuckoo Homesys and Cheongho Nice maintain that there is no issue. Cheongho Nice is currently reviewing responses through its research institute and legal team. Notably, the Ice Tree by Cheongho Nice is known to have undergone design review by patent attorneys and experts and has also acquired design rights from the Korean Intellectual Property Office. If Cuckoo Homesys and Cheongho Nice respond denying infringement, Coway may also file lawsuits against them, as it did with Kyowon Wells.
However, if the legal battle begins, it is expected to be a long one. In 2013, Coway filed a provisional injunction against Dongyang Magic (now SK Magic), claiming that its ‘Nanomini Water Purifier’ copied the design of Coway’s ‘Hanppyeom Water Purifier.’ Coway argued that Dongyang Magic had unlawfully applied a ‘digeut’ (ㄷ) shaped design in the center of the Hanppyeom Water Purifier, but the court did not accept this claim, and the case concluded in 2015 with Dongyang Magic’s victory.
In another case, Cheongho Nice filed a lawsuit against Coway in 2014, accusing it of infringing on ice water purifier patent technology, and the legal battle has continued for 10 years. Cheongho Nice holds a patent for a ‘cooling and heating water purification system and device that obtains cold water simultaneously with ice making using an evaporator,’ and claims that Coway released a product applying similar technology.
An industry insider said, “If such long-term legal battles continue, it can be exhausting for all parties in terms of time, human resources, and costs. It would be best to conclude through mutual agreement between companies at an appropriate point.”
◆The Growing Ice Water Purifier Market
Industry opinions suggest that Coway’s recent lawsuits and warning letters may be aimed at ‘revitalizing the market atmosphere.’ The ice water purifier market is growing every year, and the analysis is that Coway is trying to maintain its position as the industry leader. The entry of a major company like LG Electronics into the ice water purifier market last month also seems to have played a role. Coway’s ice water purifier sales from April to July this year increased by 40% compared to the same period last year. Kyowon Wells also saw a 140% increase in ice water purifier sales from April to August compared to the previous year, and the sales proportion of ice water purifiers doubled from 8% to 18% during the same period. Cuckoo Homesys and Cheongho Nice show similar trends.
Another industry insider said, “In home appliances, most products like refrigerators, wash towers, and TVs have similar overall appearances, and it is difficult for water purifiers to have outstanding designs unless in very special cases. However, Coway may see leaving similar-looking products on the market as a long-term disadvantage in the increasingly competitive ice water purifier market. Therefore, this lawsuit and warning letters can also be interpreted as gestures to check the market and warn competitors.”
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