Coway Files Lawsuit to Ban Ice Water Dispenser Sales by Cuckoo Homesys... "No Agreement Reached Between Both Companies"

Coway Considers Legal Action Against Cuckoo Homesys's Massage Chair and Air Purifier Designs
Claims Similarity to Its Own Products, Reviewing Additional Lawsuits

Coway has filed a lawsuit claiming that Cuckoo Homesys's ice water purifier product infringed on its design rights.

Provided by Coway and Cuckoo Homesys

According to industry sources on the 14th, Coway recently filed a lawsuit against Cuckoo Homesys for sales prohibition and damages, alleging that the 'Zero 100 Slim Ice Water Purifier' released by Cuckoo Homesys in April last year infringed on the intellectual property rights of its 'Icon Ice Water Purifier.'

Coway argued that the ▲ upper and lower angular rectangular cuboid combination form ▲ corner length ▲ front button and display arrangement of Cuckoo Homesys's product are similar to its own product, constituting design infringement and unfair competition under the Unfair Competition Prevention Act.

Coway has been selling the 'Icon Ice Water Purifier' since 2022. The design rights for this product were applied for in March 2022 and registered in February 2023.

In August last year, Coway sent a certified letter to Cuckoo Homesys raising objections. The two companies have been discussing design and engineering changes, but failed to narrow their differences regarding the timing of sales suspension, leading to legal action.

Coway is also reportedly reviewing additional legal measures, considering that Cuckoo Homesys's 'Restino Furniture-type Massage Chair' and 'Inspure Large-capacity Air Purifier' have designs similar to Coway's 'Virex Pebble Chair' and 'Powerup Air Purifier,' respectively.

Provided by Coway and Cuckoo Homesys

In August last year, Coway also filed a lawsuit seeking sales prohibition and damages against Kyowon Wells's 'Ice One' ice water purifier.

A Coway official said, "As a leading company in the industry, we have pioneered the market by introducing differentiated products through research and development," adding, "With the increasing reckless infringement of intellectual property rights by latecomer companies, we will respond firmly to protect our technological capabilities and originality."

Regarding this, a Cuckoo Homesys official said, "We have been sued for design rights infringement, not patent rights," and added, "Cuckoo Homesys holds the design rights for the 'Zero 100 Slim Ice Water Purifier.' We deeply regret the lawsuit." Cuckoo Homesys plans to respond after internal discussions.