E-mpire - Sony Wins Dutch Lawsuit, LG Forced to Pay Legal Fees

It was reported recently that Sony had an injunction placed on all PS3 shipments to the Netherlands until a lawsuit filed by LG Electronics over patent infringement related to Blu-Ray and other patents went to trial. The Dutch courts seized all shipments of PS3s, threatening to dry up PS3 stock in the area.

However, in the end, it seems as if Sony came out on top. Here is a google translation of the press release.

"News | March 10, 2011 - Sony has the lawsuit against LG won. The court in The Hague has just ruled and determined that the seizure of LG at 300,000 PlayStation 3's right to suspend. In addition, LG legal costs of 130,000 euros to pay

The statement required to LG directly to the Tax morning to report that the seizure is suspended. For every day that LG does not, the company must pay a fine of 200,000 euros. In addition, LG will first consult with Sony now commit before proceeding to distraint.

The tentative conclusion of a tumultuous day in The Hague is that Sony is the provisional winner in the patent problem between LG and Sony. According to LG, Sony Blu-ray several patents LG violated in the PlayStation 3. This involved not rule, for this interim was the subject of the seizure at LG's PlayStation 3.

The question that now remains is how the relationship between Sony and LG will be. The problems are still there and the story is not over. Probably, the merits and that means that the uncertainty surrounding the possible infringement of patents by Sony is not removed. It is also unclear where the seized PlayStation 3's go now. In any event, the PlayStation 3's from 11.00 hours tomorrow morning again distributed. In the Netherlands and in Europe. ."

They have won an appeal against the injunction, though the actual case won't be tried until November. LG has been told they must pay 130,000 Euros for court costs. They also must notify Dutch customs that all seized PS3s are to be returned to retailers. Each day they fail to comply will cost them hundreds of thousands of Euros more.

2 Comments

Luis - 03-10-2011, 05:03 PM

I don't think there were two different processes (one lead by LG to cease sales, another lead by Sony to restore sales). I believe it was just a single one where the court temporarily prevented the sale of the systems while things weren't clear. Mostly given the short timeline between events.

Then again, I haven't really read the news.

solidsnakejej - 03-10-2011, 05:16 PM

Frosty you got it a bit wrong, Sony hasn't lost the lawsuit yet, that is still pending, LG was granted an injunction 10 days back which ban the console from the Netherlands. Sony won the appeal for the ban allowing them to continue selling.