LG Electronics said on Dec. 30 that it would "actively respond" to a lawsuit filed by Japan's Sony that seeks to block mobile phone shipments to the United States by the South Korean firm.
Sony has filed a patent infringement complaint claiming LG's mobile phones sold in the United States had used its technologies without permission.
LG, the world's third-largest mobile phone maker, said it would take action after reviewing the technologies.
Sony has filed a complaint with the U.S. International Trade Commission -- which can ban imports of products found to violate U.S. patents -- and also with a federal court in Los Angeles, which has the power to impose fines.
Sony's mobile phone joint venture, Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications, is the world's sixth-largest mobile phone maker. Sony is also the world's third-largest TV maker.
LG's mobile phone business has been under heavy pressure due to its slow response to the fast-growing popularity of smartphones. Chief executive Nam Yong resigned in September after the mobile phone business stumbled.
LG's third-quarter net profit plunged 99% year-on-year to 7.57 billion won (US$6.6 million.)
Copyright Agence France-Presse, 2010
