Home electronics company LG Electronics has filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Turkish-based home appliance manufacturer Arçelik and its German affiliates Beko Deutschland and Grundig Intermedia in The Munich District Court, Germany.

The suit centres on the freezer door-ice making technology featured in a number of the companies’ refrigerators sold in Europe.

The three companies are affiliates of Turkey’s Koç Holding A.Ş., whose home appliances are available in Turkey and major European markets, including the UK.

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LG Electronics opted for legal action after negotiations with Arçelik A.Ş, Beko Deutschland and Grundig Intermedia  parent company were unresolved.

According to LG, it developed the freezer door-ice making technology for its side-by-side refrigerator models, which is included in more than 400 patents relating to door-ice making technology.

LG’s patented door-ice making technology features an ice maker which frees up more space for food storage.

In June 2019, LG licensed its patented door-ice making technology for French-door refrigerators to Haier-owned GE Appliances.

Executive vice president of LG’s intellectual property centre Jeon Saeng-gyu said: “We continue to proactively protect our intellectual property and will respond vigorously to the unauthorised use of our patented technologies.

“As international competition over innovation increases, it is more important than ever that we protect our investments in research and development.”

A statement by Beko read: “We have not yet received any formal correspondence regarding the lawsuit filed by LGE at the Munich Court on 24th September 2019. A statement will be issued after receiving the official notice.’

LG Electronics is targeting the European built-in appliance market with the launch of its Signature Collection.